In recent years, there has been growing evidence suggesting that hu- mans entered the Mediterranean perimeter of Europe earlier than 1 Ma. As far as the Italian peninsula is concerned, it appears now probable that around 1.5 Ma there were already sporadic human settle- ments, followed by scattered evidence until the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition. A more stable occupation probably occurred around 600 ka, after the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. This scenario is consistent with the scanty fossil record currently available, combined with the evidence provided by artifacts of Mode 1 and 2 technologies. Presumably, the first dispersal of human groups into the middle latitudes of Eurasia was part of the progressive faunal renewal that involved a few large mammals during the Early Pleistocene, whereas a more numerous human presence is probably related to the main faunal renewal that characterised the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition, during which time important changes affected the Earth’s climatic system. In fact, the most remarkable climatic fluctuations of the entire Cenozoic occurred during the last 800 ka, when climate was controlled by less frequent but more intense glacial-Interglacial cycles. Glacial phenomena intensified, temperature and moisture dropped no- tably, several exotic tree taxa became progressively extinct, and were prevented from becoming re-established by unsuitable climate condi- tions. These changes spurred shifts in environmental conditions and constrained the geographical diffusion of a number of taxa, allowing migration waves that drove the reorganisation of large mammal com- munities. In Italy, the faunas found at the transition from Early to Mid- dle Pleistocene represent a major reorganisation in large mammal complexes. This reorganisation occurred in successive phases during paleoenvironmental changes coinciding with the onset of the 100 ka climate cyclicity and consequent vegetation changes.
Paleoenvironmental changes, mammal complexes, and humans in Italy throughout the Pleistocene / Magri, Donatella; Manzi, Giorgio; M. R., Palombo; Sardella, Raffaele. - In: QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL. - ISSN 1040-6182. - STAMPA. - 167-168 suppl.:(2007), pp. 261-261. (Intervento presentato al convegno XVII INQUA Congress tenutosi a Cairns Australia nel 28 July-3 August 2007) [10.1016/j.quatint.2007.05.004].
Paleoenvironmental changes, mammal complexes, and humans in Italy throughout the Pleistocene
MAGRI, Donatella;MANZI, Giorgio;SARDELLA, Raffaele
2007
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing evidence suggesting that hu- mans entered the Mediterranean perimeter of Europe earlier than 1 Ma. As far as the Italian peninsula is concerned, it appears now probable that around 1.5 Ma there were already sporadic human settle- ments, followed by scattered evidence until the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition. A more stable occupation probably occurred around 600 ka, after the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. This scenario is consistent with the scanty fossil record currently available, combined with the evidence provided by artifacts of Mode 1 and 2 technologies. Presumably, the first dispersal of human groups into the middle latitudes of Eurasia was part of the progressive faunal renewal that involved a few large mammals during the Early Pleistocene, whereas a more numerous human presence is probably related to the main faunal renewal that characterised the Early to Middle Pleistocene transition, during which time important changes affected the Earth’s climatic system. In fact, the most remarkable climatic fluctuations of the entire Cenozoic occurred during the last 800 ka, when climate was controlled by less frequent but more intense glacial-Interglacial cycles. Glacial phenomena intensified, temperature and moisture dropped no- tably, several exotic tree taxa became progressively extinct, and were prevented from becoming re-established by unsuitable climate condi- tions. These changes spurred shifts in environmental conditions and constrained the geographical diffusion of a number of taxa, allowing migration waves that drove the reorganisation of large mammal com- munities. In Italy, the faunas found at the transition from Early to Mid- dle Pleistocene represent a major reorganisation in large mammal complexes. This reorganisation occurred in successive phases during paleoenvironmental changes coinciding with the onset of the 100 ka climate cyclicity and consequent vegetation changes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
