"La Pineta" - Deposit of Isernia

"La Pineta" - Deposit of Isernia
Nation: Italia
Region: Molise
Province: Isernia
Municipality: Isernia

Paleontological, prehistoric deposit. It has an excavation paleosurface covering over 50 sq/m composed of the remains of many bisons (Bison schoetensacki), rhinocerouses (Dicerorhinus cfr. mercki), bears (Ursus deningeri), elephants (Elephas Paleoloxodon antiquus), hippopotamuses (Hippopotamius amphibius), etc.. The layers are contained in a fluvial sequence covered by paleosoils and pyroclastic horizons. Three paleosoils and two fluvial cycles separate the human level from the current surface, which is suspended by at least one hundred meters above the level of the Torrente Cavaliere.

Age: about 700,000 years

Point of interest: paleosurface built by man with animal remains. It is among the most ancient deposits known so far. All the area is included in a specifically constructed museum.

Deterioration risk: low

Type of deterioration: controlled

Bibliography: Peretto C. ,1983 (a cura di): Isernia La Pineta: un accampamento più antico di 700.000 anni, catalogo della mostra omonima, Calderini Editore Bologna.