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Most of the Paleolithic art and ornaments discovered in Romania come from the site of Poiana Cireșului. Four Paleolithic layers have been studied at this site—the oldest one belongs to the Early Gravettian period between 30 ka and 31 ka BP. The ornaments discovered in this layer include perforated shells from three species of mollusks: freshwater Lithoglyphus naticoide and Lithoglyphus apertus as well as Homalopoma sanguineum (an exclusively Mediterranean species). Poiana Cireșului is one of the very few Gravettian sites where perforated Homalopoma sanguineum shells were found, and the importance of this discovery is stressed even more by the very long distance between the site and the nearest source located over 900 km away. This find suggests the connection of communities here with the Mediterranean area as well as a possible movement of populations from the south of the continent to the east of the Carpathians with significant implications in understanding human group mobility and the origin of the Early Gravettian in this area. Furthermore, Poiana Cireșului is the only Gravettian settlement where Lithoglyphus naticoides shells were used. The unique association of perforated shells—not found in any other Gravettian settlement—contributes to the identity of the Paleolithic community of Poiana Cireșului through their ornaments.

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cave, the Duruitoarea Veche cave, Cosăuți, Climăuți II and Molodova V, have been analysed. The ornaments come from occupations falling in between 26-27 ka uncal. BP and 17 ka uncal. BP. The study of ornaments of this homogeneous and restricted area allow us to discuss the existence of some differences in the technical and stylistic choices of these symbolic productions. The article also serves a documentary purpose, as far as all ornaments discovered east of the Prut, in the Republic of Moldova, are only known through the publication of some drawings, which, moreover, are not always sufficiently precise and informative. Gravettian, Epigravettian, personal ornaments, Eastern Carpathians, symbolic behavior.

Contributions to understanding the Neanderthals symbolism. In order to explain the behavior and cognitive capacity of the Neanderthal man researchers reported, through time, to several discoveries categories, mainly related to the technical evolution in the Mousterian. A distinct category is represented by the discoveries interpreted as proofs of symbolism, from among which the most frequently mentioned, are : ocher, fossils, mineralrocks and the cave bear cult. There were numerous debates regarding these aspects, especially since the presence of ocher or of fossil remains in Mousterian sites does not necessarily prove their symbolistic aspect, as they could have had various utilitarian functions. In this study we will present a few discoveries regarding symbolism in the Mousterian in Romania which have already entered the international scientific circuit. The focus will be on the modern analysis performed, which included optical fiber digital microscopy (20X/200X magnification) and computerized tomography which allows 3D reconstructions. The new discoveries brought significant contributions and direct evidence especially to the use of ocher with symbolic purposes by the Neanderthal man.