A multidisciplinary approach to a unique palaeolithic human ichnological record from Italy (Bàsura Cave)

Abstract

Based on the integration of laser scans, sedimentology, geochemistry, archeobotany, geometric morphometrics and photogrammetry, here we present evidence testifying that a Palaeolithic group of people explored a deep cave in northern Italy about 14 ky cal. BP. Ichnological data enable us to shed light on individual and group level behavior, social relationship, and mode of exploration of the uneven terrain. Five individuals, two adults, an adolescent and two children, entered the cave barefoot and illuminated the way with a bunch of wooden sticks. Traces of crawling locomotion are documented for the first time in the global human ichnological record. Anatomical details recognizable in the crawling traces show that no clothing was present between limbs and the trampled sediments. Our study demonstrates that very young children (the youngest about 3 years old) were active members of the Upper Palaeolithic populations, even in apparently dangerous and social activities.

Following the Father Steps in the Bowels of the Earth: The Ichnological Record from the Bàsura Cave (Upper Palaeolithic, Italy)

“…A total of 117 human traces, including complete footprints, rear foot imprints, fore foot imprints, knee traces, finger traces and body traces, were recorded in the Bàsura Cave ( Fig. 14.2) (Romano et al 2019).…”

“…We use the photogrammetric method (Falkingham et al 2018) to digitally acquire and reconstruct the ichnological material from the Bàsura Cave. Digital 3D models have been reconstructed for both humans and animal traces, including canid and bear footprints (see Citton et al 2017 andRomano et al 2019). For each single footprint, an average of 40 photos has been taken around the subject using a 24 Megapixel Canon EOS 750D (18 mm focal length).…”

Newly identified hominin trackways from the Cape south coast of South Africa

“…In all three cases, footprints of various sizes are present, indicating the presence of more than one trackmaker, and raising the possibility of family groups, as has been inferred at other hominin tracksites. 37,60,61 However, size variability is by no means random. On the contrary, at Site 1, Site 2 and the previously described Brenton-on-Sea site 16 , there is considerable consistency in the size and shape of the larger tracks, which are characteristic of adult unshod humans.…”

“…Romano et al 37 , in describing very well preserved hominin tracks in an Italian cave, used a foot length/stature ratio of 0.1541, calculated from a sample of Upper Palaeolithic adults. Using this ratio, estimated height = footprint length x 6.49, the above estimates need to be reduced by between 2% and 3%.…”

“…The term 'ammoglyph' was coined to describe such findings. One site included possible human knee impressions 35 , adding to a very sparse global record of such features 36,37 .…”