Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: New study on the Atella site (Basilicata, Italy)

In this research, still at a preliminary stage, we have studied the lithic assemblage of Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Southern Italy) with a technological and techno-functional approach, never applied to this material before. Previously, lithic implements were principally classified with a typological methodological approach. This site was ascribed to the Lower Acheulean, even if large tools found in situ are very few and not properly bifacially worked. This new analysis allowed us to note the presence of technical recurrences both in production and tool formation. The results have been consequently compared with those concerning other similar and almost coeval sites, finding many analogies in production strategies, but also some differences mainly due to shape and quality of the raw material. We underline the great scientific potential of this site and the whole area of the Atella basin, which can surely be included in the large debate on the first peopling of Europe and the diffusion of the bifacial technology.