The Open Aurignacian Project. Volume 3: Grotta della Cala in southern Italy

Overview

This repository houses a comprehensive dataset comprising high-resolution 3D meshes of lithic artifacts (n = 420) and bone tools (n = 3). Lithics include cores, blanks (e.g., blades, bladelets, and flakes), and retouched tools recovered from the Aurignacian sequence at Grotta della Cala (40.00108243N, 015.38095416E) in Marina di Camerota, Salerno, Campania, southern Italy (Benini et al., 1997). The artifacts derive from four excavation spits (AU13–AU10), all attributed to the Early Aurignacian (Falcucci et al., in preparation).

Grotta della Cala has been redated recently by Higham et al. (2024) using radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. These methods have refined the chronological boundaries between the preceding Uluzzian layer and the Early Aurignacian. Notably, OSL dating from spit AU12 (X7042, 38,390–34,682 cal BP at 68.3% probability) and radiocarbon dating from spit AU10 (OxA-35601, 38,840–37,637 cal BP at 68.3% probability) suggest that the Aurignacian sequence was deposited after 40,000 years ago, following the Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic super-eruption (Giaccio et al., 2017). This sequence is of paramount importance for understanding biocultural processes occurring after this major volcanic event and during Heinrich Stadial 4.

The 3D scanning of artifacts was performed using the first models of the Artec Space Spider (n = 369) and Artec Micro (n = 51) scanners from Artec Inc., Luxembourg. The scanning process adhered to best practices for lithic digitization (Göldner et al., 2022), ensuring accurate capture of artifact details. 3D scanning with the Artec Spider follows the third version of the Styrostone protocol outlined by Göldner et al. (2023). For detailed information, please refer to Part 8 (Artec scanning of larger artifacts) of the protocol: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3. 3D scanning with the Artec Micro follows the Microstone protocol by Falcucci (2022): dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1. The use of the Artec Micro was particularly valuable for digitizing extremely small lithics, such as retouched bladelets with lengths around 1 cm.

The creation of this open-access repository is intended to encourage archaeologists to participate in collaborative initiatives, thereby contributing to the advancement of research in the field of lithic technology and facilitating broader access to the prehistoric record. This initiative aligns with the promotion of Open Science practices in archaeological sciences, as advocated by Marwick et al. (2017). This dataset is part of the Open Aurignacian Project.

Author contact

Dr. Armando Falcucci

armando.falcucci@uni-tuebingen.de; falcucciarmando@gmail.com

Description of the dataset

This repository includes 3D meshes in PLY format of lithic artifacts and bone tools. They are organized as follows:

Lithics:

1. Ca_3D_Meshes.zip: Compressed folder containing 3D models in PLY format for the lithic artifacts.
2. Readme_Cala_3D.txt:  This README file provides detailed information about the 3D models and metadata associated with this repository. It includes descriptions of the dataset's structure, the scanning and postprocessing protocols, and detailed metadata variables for the lithic artifacts, including scanning technology, resolution, and file formats. The file serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the dataset and how to properly use and cite the data for research purposes.
3. Cala_3D_metadata.csv: CSV file containing information, characteristics, and metadata of the lithic artifacts.

The Cala_3D_metadata.csv file includes the following metadata attributes:

• ID: Each artifact has been assigned a unique identifier in the format "Ca" followed by a sequential number, allowing for cross-referencing with techno-typological data presented in related publications.
• Site: The archaeological site where the lithic was excavated.
• Sublayer: The stratigraphic origin of the lithic.
• Raw_material: Categorization by the type of raw material (e.g., Chert, Radiolarite).
• Class: Broad artifact sorting (e.g., Blank, Core, Core-Tool, Tool), following common classifications in lithic analysis. Cores are pieces of any size that lack a dorsal/ventral surface but have two or more blade/bladelet/flake scars. Tools are pieces of any size that exhibit retouch along the margins. Core-tools are pieces that have produced bladelets but can also be classified as tools (e.g., carinated endscrapers and burin cores) following a typological classification. Blanks are flaked pieces with both a dorsal and ventral face.
• Blank: Classification of the blank into flake, blade, and bladelet categories. A blade is defined as a flaked blank whose length is at least twice its width, regardless of shape. Bladelets are defined as blades whose maximum width is less than 12 mm.
• Technology: Technological classification of the blanks into categories such as initialization, maintenance, optimal, semi-cortical, and others, following Falcucci et al. (2020) and Falcucci et al. (2024).
• Core_classification: Technological categories for cores and core-tools (e.g., Carinated, Multi-platform, Narrow-sided, Semicircumferential) following Falcucci & Peresani (2018).
• Cortex: Percentage of cortex coverage (0%, 1–33%, 33–66%, 66–99%, 100%), estimated visually.
• Preservation: Breakage classification for blanks (e.g., Complete, Distal, Mesial, Proximal, Undetermined). For cores and most core-tools, preservation is marked as "Other".
• Volume: The volume of the artifact in cubic millimeters.
• Surface: The surface area of the artifact in square millimeters.
• Length: Maximum length in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.
• Width: Maximum width in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.
• Thickness: Maximum thickness in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.
• File_list: The list of files in the dataset that correspond to this specific ID.
• Model_unit: The unit of measurement used for the 3D model. When viewing the artifact in a 3D viewer that supports real-world units, this is the unit you enter into your program to ensure proper scaling. Note that this is not related to the object's resolution; it's simply the value needed for accurate scaling when importing the model into your 3D program.
• #_of_polygons: The number of polygons in the 3D model of the artifact.
• Avg_edge_length(mm)/Resolution: The average distance between points on the model, serving as an effective measure of the model's resolution.
• Resolution_score: A qualitative value assigned to each model, reflecting its resolution. Based on the entire set of scans from the Open Aurignacian Project, it classifies artifacts into four categories (i.e., ultra-detailed, detailed, moderate detail, low detail) based on their average edge length, providing an assessment of the model's resolution relative to others in the project.
• Scanner: The specific model of the scanner used to capture the 3D data of the lithic artifact.
• Scan_software: The version of the software used in conjunction with the scanner to capture the 3D data of the artifact.
• Postprocessing_software: The version of the software used to execute postprocessing algorithms and generate the final 3D mesh of the artifact.
• Coating: Yes/No entry speifying if coating was used for any scan.

Bone Tools:

1. Ca_3D_Bone_Tools.zip: A compressed folder containing 3D models of bone tools identified in the Aurignacian spits. This includes two antler Split-Based Points (Ca_SBP_8a, Ca_SBP_8b) and one bone awl (Ca_Awl_8c). The alphanumeric codes (8a, 8b, and 8c) correspond to the figures in the associated publication (Falcucci et al., in press).

Research and Usage Notes

Users are encouraged to consult the GitHub repository associated with the main publication on the Aurignacian sequence at Grotta della Cala for further techno-typological data and analytical resources. This dataset is intended to foster open collaboration and reproducibility in lithic analysis, aligning with best practices in archaeological research.

Licensing and Citation

Please cite this repository and related publications when using this dataset in your research. Licensing details and citation formats are provided in the repository documentation.

References

Benini A., Boscato P. & Gambassini P. (1997) Grotta della Cala (Salerno): industrie litiche e faune uluzziane ed aurignaziane. Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche, 48: 37-95.

Falcucci A. (2022) MicroStone: Exploring the capabilities of the Artec Micro in scanning stone tools. protocols.io. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1

Falcucci A. & Peresani M. (2018) Protoaurignacian Core Reduction Procedures: Blade and Bladelet Technologies at Fumane Cave. Lithic Technology 43: 125-140. doi:10.1080/01977261.2018.1439681

Falcucci A., Conard N.J. & Peresani M. (2020) Breaking through the Aquitaine frame: A re-evaluation on the significance of regional variants during the Aurignacian as seen from a key record in southern Europe. Journal of Anthropological Sciences, 98: 99-140. doi:https://doi.org/10.4436/JASS.98021

Falcucci A., Arrighi S., Spagnolo V., Rossini M., Higgins O.A., Muttillo B., Martini I., Crezzini J., Boschin F., Ronchitelli A. & Moroni A. (2024) A pre-Campanian Ignimbrite techno-cultural shift in the Aurignacian sequence of Grotta di Castelcivita, southern Italy. Scientific Reports, 14: 12783. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59896-6

Falcucci, A., Kitagawa, K., Doyon, L., Tassoni, L., Higham, T., Dominic, C., Dreossi, D., Crezzini, J., Rossini, M., Benazzi, S., Martini, I., Boschin, F., Spagnolo, V., & Moroni, A. (in preparation). Revisiting the Early Aurignacian in Italy: New Insights from Grotta della Cala. Quaternary Science Reviews.

Giaccio B., Hajdas I., Isaia R., Deino A. & Nomade S. (2017) High-precision 14C and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Campanian Ignimbrite (Y-5) reconciles the time-scales of climatic-cultural processes at 40 ka. Scientific Reports, 7: 45940. doi:10.1038/srep45940

Göldner D., Karakostis F.A. & Falcucci A. (2022) Practical and technical aspects for the 3D scanning of lithic artefacts using micro-computed tomography techniques and laser light scanners for subsequent geometric morphometric analysis. Introducing the StyroStone protocol. PLoS One, 17: e0267163. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267163

Göldner D., Karakostis F.A. & Falcucci A. (2023) StyroStone: A protocol for scanning and extracting three-dimensional meshes of stone artefacts using Micro-CT scanners V.3. protocols.io. dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3

Higham T., Frouin M., Douka K., Ronchitelli A., Boscato P., Benazzi S., Crezzini J., Spagnolo V., McCarty M., Marciani G., Falcucci A., Rossini M., Arrighi S., Dominici C., Devièse T., Schwenninger J.-L., Martini I., Moroni A. & Boschin F. (2024) Chronometric data and stratigraphic evidence support discontinuity between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens in the Italian Peninsula. Nature Communications,15: 8016. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51546-9

Marwick B., d’Alpoim Guedes J., Barton C.M., Bates L.A., Baxter M., Bevan A., Bollwerk E.A., Bocinsky R.K., Brughmans T., Carter A.K., Conrad C., Contreras D.A., Costa S., Crema E.R., Daggett A., Davies B., Drake B.L., Dye T.S., France P., Fullagar R., Giusti D., Graham S., Harris M.D., Hawks J., Heath S., Huffer D., Kansa E.C., Kansa S.W., Madsen M.E., Melcher J., Negre J., Neiman F.D., Opitz R., Orton D.C., Przstupa P., Raviele M., Riel-Savatore J., Riris P., Romanowska I., Smith J., Strupler N., Ullah I.I., Van Vlack H.G., VanValkenburgh N., Watrall E.C., Webster C., Wells J., Winters J. & Wren C.D. (2017) Open science in archaeology. SAA Archaeological Record, 17: 8-14. doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/3D6XX