Sessant’anni dopo gli scavi del Prof. Antonio Mario Radmilli, rivive la ricerca archeologica a Valle Giumentina, un sito di incredibile bellezza, situato nel Parco Nazionale della Majella. Nel mese di Settembre 2012, una squadra multidisciplinare composta da archeologi (specialisti in Paleolitico) e da geologi e paleontologi ha ripreso le ricerche per ricostruire la presenza dell’uomo durante gli ultimi 300 000 anni. La registrazione continua della sua presenza per un intervallo di tempo cosi ampio fa della Valle Giumentina un sito di estrema importanza ed interesse al livello europeo per la rarità e per la qualità della conservazione Valle Giumentina è una piccola valle sospesa a circa740 m di quota, un tempo occupata da un lago. Nei sedimenti di questo lago, oggi di circa 40 metri di spessore, si rivengono sette livelli archeologici con manufatti in pietra riferiti a gruppi umani neandertaliani. Questi gruppi frequentavano le sponde del lago Giumentina per cacciare gli animali e scheggiare la pietra. La lunga sequenza di sedimenti contiene pollini, molluschi e altri organismi che testimoniano le vicissitudini del clima e dell’ambiente nel tempo. Dall’unione degli studi geologici, archeologici e paleontologici si potrà risalire alla vita dei nostri antichi antenati. L’eccezionalità della durata della frequentazione umana permetterà di ricostruire l’evoluzione sociale ed economica dell’uomo nel Paleolitico. Durante il mese di Settembre è stato eseguito un interessantissimo sondaggio di 45 metri, che verrà analizzato e studiato in laboratori specializzati dell’Università di Pisa e Parigi. Inoltre, si è proceduto alla ripulitura di tutta la sezione paleolacustre affiorante in Valle Giumentina. Questo progetto di cinque anni (2012-2016) è finanziato dall’Ecole française de Rome, e dalla Fondazione Pescarabruzzo ed è realizzato in collaborazione con la Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell’Abruzzo, l’Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives francese, il Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo, l’Archeoclub di Pescara, con il sostegno del Parco Nazionale della Majella del Comune di Abbateggio e del Comune di Caramanico.

Valle Giumentina is an open early and middle Paleolithic site, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of Pisa University and the geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological layers were uncovered within a lacustrine context, on the side of a deep cut that had eroded the Pleistocene deposits, to a depth of 25 m. As part of the École Française de Rome’s five-year programme (2012-2016), the multidisciplinary research continued with the aim of defining the stratigraphic chronology, determining the techniques of the lithic industries present and occupation types on the site. During the first mission in September-October 2012, core samples were taken from the Quaternary deposits to a depth of 45 m. An area of 1 m2 of the first blackish paleo-soil, situated at over 3.5 m in depth, was excavated. This revealed the first lithic industry in a stratigraphic context found during this new research programme. The section was cleaned down to a depth of 7 m. The second mission (April-June 2013) had three main objectives: 1) To excavate the first paleo-soil over a large area: for this a bulldozer was used which created a platform of over 40 m2. During the season, 12 m2 were excavated manually to a depth of about 60 cm. Two levels were exposed, denominated ALB and LDP, the latter having been identified during the 2012 season. Very few faunal remains (deer) were found that were in an extremely fragmented state, as well as 88 lithic artefacts, including cores, flakes and a few retouched flake. The _débitage_ was carried out on intersecting adjacent faces of the cores. An area of half a square metre was excavated in level ABF, which produced five lithic artefacts. 2) To complete the chronology: the stratigraphic sequence was excavated manually to a depth of 16 m. Various specialists were thus able to describe, measure, and take samples from the deposits. Levels were taken, magnetic susceptibility measured and samples and measurements were taken for sedimentological and micromorphological studies, and for the OSL dating. 3) To determine the morphology of the calcareous basin of the Valle Giumentina and geometry of the deposits: resistivity readings were taken along the longitudinal axis (1 transept) and transversal axis of the valley (2 transepts). In some places, the Quaternary fill was 80 m deep. The geomorphological surveying continued.

Valle Giumentina is an open, early and middle Paleolithic site, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of Pisa University and the geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological layers were exposed within a lacustrine context, on the side of a deep ravine that had eroded the Pleistocene deposits to a depth of 25 m. As part of a five-year programme run by the École Française de Rome (2012-2016), multi-disciplinary research has been taking place with the aim of defining the dating of the stratigraphy, determine the nature of the lithic industry present and the type of occupation on the site. During the first season (2012), a core sample was taken from the quaternary deposits to a depth of 45 m, and the first blackish paleo-soil, located at over 3.5 m in depth, was excavated over an area of 1 m2. The first lithic industry in a stratigraphic context of the new research programme was recovered. The section was cleaned down to a depth of 7 m. The second season (2013) had three objectives: the excavation of the first paleo-soil over an extensive area (platform of over 40 m2), the dating of the stratigraphy and collection of paleo-environmental data from the section (to a depth of about 16 m), and the definition of the limestone basin of Valle Giumentina and of the geometry of the deposits using resistivity. In 2014, the main season took place between 18th May and the 1st July. The geo-morphological survey was carried out in August. The archaeological and geo-chronological research continued that of the previous season. The excavation of the first paleo-soil (levels ALB and LDP), situated between 3.80 and 4.30 m in depth, was extended. Level ALB was explored over an area of about 48 m2, and level LDP over a surface of 22 m2. The excavations brought to light 118 flint artefacts, 43 faunal remains, and 28 charcoal fragments. The quantimeters inserted last year to take readings for OSL (optical stimulated luminescence) dating were removed at the beginning of the season. Section VV1 was extended by a metre (to 17 m in depth), in order to reach a level containing volcanic deposits identified during the core sample analysis. Samples were collected for Ar/Ar dating, and 30 sediment samples were taken for the malacological study. The sieving of the sediments began on site and will be completed in the laboratory at Meudon. The fieldwork undertaken in August had different objectives. Its main aim was the completion of the photographic survey of the Giumentina Valley, covering all of the sector surrounding the archaeological site as far as the confluence with the Santo Spirito/San Bartolomeo canyon. Photogrammetry will be used to convert the over 1000 photographs into a detailed 3D digital model of the valley.

The Valle Giumentina is an early and middle Palaeolithic site, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of the University of Pisa, in collaboration with the geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological levels were exposed within a lacustrine context on the side of a cut 25 m deep that had eroded the Pleistocene deposits. As part of the École Française de Rome’s five-year programme (2012-2016), new multidisciplinary research began on the site with the aim of precisely dating the stratigraphy, determining the technical nature of the lithic industry present and the type of occupation on the site. During the first season, 2012, a core sample was taken from the Quaternary deposits at a depth of 45 m, and the first blackish palaeo-soil, situated at a depth of 3.5 m, was excavated over an area of 1 m2. This was the first lithic industry of the new excavations found in context. The section was cleaned to a depth of 7 m. In 2013, the campaign had three objectives: excavation of the first palaeo-soil across a large area (platform of over 40 m2), acquisition of chronological and palaeo-environmental data from the section (down to 16 m in depth), and a resistivity survey to define the calcareous basin of Valle Giumentina and the geometry of the deposits. In 2014, the archaeological and geo-chronological research continued the work of the previous year. The excavation area of the palaeo-soil (levels ALB and LDP), situated between 3.80 and 4.30 m in depth, was extended. Samples were taken for Ar/Ar dating in addition to 30 samples for malacological analysis. In 2015, the archaeological levels in the latest palaeo-soils, ALB and LDP, were excavated over an area of 51 m2. One hundred and eighty-seven finds, including lithics and bone, were uncovered. The total number of finds in ALB was 171 (403 including minute flakes) and in were 95 in LDP (166 including minute flakes). The level containing the bifacial lithics (SLM-37) was excavated over a surface of 0.5 m2, exploiting a slippage that had occurred south of the cut, close to the area of Radmilli’s excavations. A flake was found in level SLM-37 during the excavation of section VV1, promising new discoveries in this level during the next campaign. During the cleaning of section VV1, a new archaeological level within a fine palaeo-soil was identified. In addition, three flakes were found at 4.72 below the benchmark (that is 7.34 m below the reference point on the ground surface). This palaeo-soil should correspond to the black level n. 34 in Radmilli’s excavations, but in which no lithics were found at the time. With the flake fragment found at 14 m down in level LBR, the total of archaeological horizons identified during the old and present excavations at Valle Giumentina reaches 11. Three Ar/Ar datings on volcanic deposits and two IRSL dating are available, all concordant with each other. Although the chronological data has yet to be processed and compared, the results indicate a date corresponding with the middle Pleistocene period for the Valle Giumentina sequence. The stratigraphic evidence and samples taken this year have improved understanding of the way in which the upper reddish layers were deposited, of the basin’s geometry, of the mineralogical composition of the sediments (600 samples for fluorescent X analysis) and of the malacological assemblage.

Valle Giumentina is an open site dating to the ancient and middle Palaeolithic periods, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of Pisa University, in collaboration with geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological levels were uncovered within an overall lacustrine context, on the side of a deep cut that has eroded the Pleistocene deposits, to a depth of 25 m. As part of the École Française de Rome’s five year project (2012-1016), multidisciplinary research continued on the site with the aim of defining the stratigraphic chronology, determining the nature of the lithic industries present and the types of occupation on the site. During the first mission, in 2012, a core sample was taken from the quaternary deposit to a depth of 45 m, and the first blackish palaeo-soil, situated at over 3.5 m in depth, was excavated over a 1 m2 area. This revealed the first industries in a stratigraphic context found during the new research programme. The section was cleaned to a depth of 7 m. The second mission in 2013 had three objectives: the excavation of the first palaeo-soil over a larger area (a platform of over 40 m2), obtaining chronological and palaeo-environmental data starting with the stratigraphhic section (down to about 16 m in depth), the definition of the calcareous basin of the Valle Giumentina and the geometry of the deposits using resistivity. In 2014, the archaeological and geo-chronological research continued the work begun the previous year. The excavation of the first palaeo-soil (levels ALB and LDP), situated between 3.80 and 4.30 m in depth, was extended. Samples were taken for Ar/Ar dating and 30 sediment samples were taken for malacological study. In 2015, the archaeological levels within the latest brown palaeo-soils, ALB and LDP, were excavated across the maximum area possible, corresponding with 51 m2. One hundred and seventeen archaeological artefacts, including lithic industries and bone, were uncovered. This season, the main objective was the excavation of the level below ALB-42 and LDP-41 that is level LABM-40. Elements of bi-facial working were found here that were not seen in the preceding excavations. A bi-facial flint and various flakes from bi-facial working of four different types of raw materials were uncovered. Various flake tools were also present. A total of 395 were found and one faunal element. Core samples were taken by hand in the upper layer of red earth, in order to determine the morphology. Moulds were made of various flakes and bi-facials while _in_ _situ_ so that the traceology study could be carried out without altering the surfaces.

The Valle Giumentina is an early and middle Palaeolithic site, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of the University of Pisa, in collaboration with the geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological levels were exposed within a lacustrine context on the side of a cut up to 25 m deep that had eroded the Pleistocene deposits. As part of the École Française de Rome’s five-year programme (2012-2021), new multidisciplinary research began on the site with the aim of precisely dating the stratigraphy, determining the technical nature of the lithic industry present and the type of occupation on the site. During the first season, 2012, a core sample was taken from the Quaternary deposits at a depth of 45 m, and the first blackish palaeo-soil, situated at a depth of 3.5 m, was excavated over an area of 1 m2. In 2013, the campaign had three objectives: excavation of the first palaeo-soil across a large area, acquisition of chronological and palaeo-environmental data from the section (down to 16 m in depth), and a resistivity survey to define the calcareous basin of Valle Giumentina and the geometry of the deposits. In 2014, the archaeological and geo-chronological research continued the work of the previous year. The excavation area of the palaeo-soil (levels ALB and LDP), was extended (51 m2). Samples were taken for Ar/Ar dating and for malacological analysis. In 2015, the levels ALB and LDP were excavated across all the available area. In 2016, the main objective was to excavate the level, LABM-40, below ALB-42 and LDP-41. Elements of bi-facial working were found in this level that were not present in the previous excavations, including a bi-facial flint and various flakes from bi-facial working. A number of flake tools were also present and a total of 396 finds were recorded. Manual core samples were taken in the upper red soil. The 2017 campaign concentrated on level SML-37, known from the Radmilli excavations for the presence of bi-facial lithic industry. It was this level that determined the site’s attribution to the Acheulean culture, while the levels delimiting it, where no bi-facials were present, were attributed to the Clactonian culture. In the 1950s, it was the only occupation level to produce bi-facials. Today, on the contrary, we know that bi-facial lithic industry is also present in level LABM-40 and underlying layers SLM-37 and LAC-34. The 35 m2 excavated in correspondence with the main section VV1 produced 253 lithic elements, including one bi-facial and some bone remains. The palaeo-soil SLM (silty sand and molluscs) identified in VV1 and VV3 was correlated to level 37 of the Radmilli excavations, thanks to the numerous malacological remains, characteristic of an open and arid environment.

The Giumentina valley is an early and middle Palaeolithic site, briefly excavated in the 1950s by Prof. Radmilli of the University of Pisa, in collaboration with the geologist J. Demangeot. Seven archaeological levels were exposed within a lacustrine context on the side of a cut 25 m deep that had eroded the Pleistocene deposits. As part of the École Française de Rome’s ten-year programme (2012-2021), new multidisciplinary research began on the site with the aim of precisely dating the stratigraphy, determining the technical nature of the lithic industry present and the type of occupation on the site. During the first season, 2012, a core sample was taken from the Quaternary deposits at a depth of 45 m, and the first blackish palaeo-soil, situated at a depth of 3.5 m, was excavated over an area of 1 m2. In 2013, the campaign had archaeological objectives involving excavation of the first palaeo-soil across a large area and geo-chronological or palaeo-environmental objectives involving the section (down to 16 m in depth). A resistivity survey was undertaken on order to define the calcareous basin of the Giumentina valley and the geometry of the deposits. In 2014, the research continued the work of the previous year. The excavation area of the palaeo-soil (levels ALB and LDP) was extended (51 m2). Samples were taken for Ar/Ar dating in addition to 30 samples for malacological analysis. In 2015, the levels ALB and LDP were excavated across all the available area. In 2016, the main objective was the excavation of the level below ALB-42 and LDP-41 that is level LABM-40. Evidence for the working of bifacial lithics, not attested by previous excavations, was found in this level; a flint bifacial and several flakes from bifacial working. Various flaked instruments were present among a total of 396 finds. Hand core samples were taken from the upper red soil. The 2017 excavations concentrated on level SLM-37, known from the Rdmilli excavations for its bifacial industry content. The 35 m2 excavated in correspondence with the main section VV1 recovered 253 lithic finds, including one bifacial and some bone fragments. In 2018, two perpendicular trenches (total of 6 m2) were opened revealing palaeo-soil ABF-33, already known from the excavations in the 1950s. One hundred and forty lithic finds were recovered. The sediment analysis showed that human occupation was present close to a humid zone that was often dry in concordance with a phase of climate change. In fact, the palaeo-soil ABF-33 contained volcanic ash dated with the 39Ar/40Ar method to 511 ka ± 3 ka that is the MIS 13b. Between the level excavated in 2017 (SLM-37) and this level there was a thickness of 1.40 m of light-coloured sand and silt. Thanks to the opening of a trench (c. 25 m2), it was seen that it constituted the fill of a palaeo-riverbed cutting into the lacustrine deposits below. The excavation of level ABF-33 will be completed across the entire area in 2019.