Reversed magnetic polarity at Isernia la Pineta, a new lower Palaeolithic site in Central Italy

Isernia La Pineta central ITA is an extensive open-air archaeological site of early Lower Palaeolithic aspect. Radiometric and palaeomagnetic dating place it in the Matuyama reversed epoch, hence before 0.73 Myr. Its early date, stratified context, abundant stone tool industry of choppers and flakes and rich faunal remains make it one of the most important localities for the question of the earliest human colonization of Europe. The archaeological horizons (Fig. 1) were discovered during recent road-building operations at 4 m below surface near the city of Isernia (Upper Volturno Basin, Province of Molise; see Fig. 2). Excavations in 1979 and 1980 carried out in two areas (sectors I and II; Fig. 2) revealed dense scatters of limestone choppers, flint flakes and disarticulated bones of large mammals. Similar occurrences have been found elsewhere in the valley. Previous accounts1,2 are revised herein.