Short and close in time: overlapped occupation from the layer 56 of the Molare Rock shelter (Southern Italy)

The Molare Rock shelter (S. Giovanni a Piro, Salerno, Italy) is a key site to carry out high-resolution chronological studies in the broader context of Italian Mousterian peopling dynamics. The stratigraphic sequence is to be referred to MIS 5 and is characterized by the presence of a number of thin anthropic levels (often consisting of largely undisturbed living floors) alternated with sterile layers of various thickness. Even if the excavated area covers only a part of the original site, macro-evidence of the spatial organization of the settlement (e.g. position of hearths, structures, etc.) is quite variable through the sequence. However, broader analyses are needed to better understand the archaeological record and to detect continuities or discontinuities related to survival or change of settlement dynamics and economic strategies through time. This paper concerns data from layer 56. This anthropic level is quite thin and was interposed between two thick layers of sterile clay. Its upper part, directly in contact with the overlying clay sediment, can be considered as a living floor. Since taphonomic studies indicated a good preservation state of the anthropic context, we combined lithic technology (implemented by RMU analysis) with the study of spatial distribution patterns of archaeological finds; such an approach allowed us to correlate inner variations of layer 56 with two different “occupational events”, probably separated by a very short chronological gap. The two occupations appear to be characterized by different patterns of space management and use which may either reflect punctuated settlement dynamics or be expression of a continuum.