Pollen and mammals from the late Early Pleistocene site of Saticula (Sant'Agata de' Goti, Benevento, Italy)

摘要: Abstract A fluvio-lacustrine succession was discovered in 1995 at Saticula, near Sant'Agata de' Goti (Benevento), below a thick volcaniclastic deposit sealed by the “Ignimbrite Campana” formation (39 ka). Vertebrate fossil remains and pollen were recovered excavated sections. Pollen analysis allowed recognition of two zones, first being characterised Quercus-Carya mixed deciduous forest which probably present plain on slopes surrounding Caudina valley basin. The following samples record drastic decrease Carya grains contemporary increase herbs Pinus. more open environment established around river shores due to climate shift towards dryer conditions. Most vertebrate found upper portion corresponding zone with reduced pollen. mammal assemblage includes Hippopotamus antiquus, Axis eurygonos, Megacerini indet., Equus suessenbornensis Stephanorhinus cf. S. hundsheimensis. In addition, partial unerupted molar an elephantid, hyena coprolites fragments rodent teeth identified. high amount base represents most peculiar feature Saticula floral used as reference for its chronological constraint. Comparison other Italian successions be tentatively ascribed late Early Pleistocene. After that period, never recorded such amounts gradually disappeared from flora heterochronous latitudinal gradient. is agreement framework suggested data.