Fire, food and sense of place. The long-term use of the Early Neolithic underground ovens of Portonovo (Marche, Italy)

This Early Neolithic site of Portonovo (Marche region, Italy) has provided valuable insights into several key aspects of Neolithic life, including pyrotechnology, archaeomagnetism, absolute chronology, pottery, lithic technology, and funerary practices. This paper explores these findings, focusing on the organization of Neolithic production areas, the exploitation of natural resources, territorial occupation, and potential ideological shifts linked to the site's changing functions. Furthermore, the site's prolonged occupation, spanning approximately a millennium, underscores the significance of 'special' places in the formation of collective memory within early human communities.