The Open Aurignacian Project. Volume 4: Riparo Bombrini in northwestern Italy

Overview

This repository contains a dataset of high-resolution 3D meshes of lithic artifacts (n = 110) from the Aurignacian sequence at Riparo Bombrini in Liguria, northwestern Italy (43°46′59.6″N, 07°32′7.6″E). The dataset includes 3D models of cores, tools, and blanks recovered from the Protoaurignacian (A2, A1) and Early Aurignacian (A0) layers. Riparo Bombrini, part of the Balzi Rossi complex (Ryan et al., 2024), is a key site for understanding the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic, which coincided with the demise of late Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens across Europe  (Negrino & Riel-Salvatore, 2018; Negrino et al., 2023; Riel-Salvatore & Negrino, 2018b, a). Recently, the Aurignacian sequence was analyzed by Falcucci et al. (in preparation) to better contextualize lithic technology and raw material procurement strategies, examining human mobility across the Liguro-Provençal Basin. Additionally, layer A0 has been assigned to the Early Aurignacian for the first time. With excavations completed in 2022, this dataset represents the most up-to-date collection of Protoaurignacian and Early Aurignacian lithics from Riparo Bombrini.

The 3D scanning of artifacts was performed using an Artec Space scanner from Artec Inc. Scanning followed standardized best practices for lithic digitization (Göldner et al., 2022), ensuring accurate capture of artifact details. This dataset is part of the Open Aurignacian Project, which promotes collaborative research in lithic technology and advances Open Science principles in archaeology (Marwick et al., 2017).

Description of the dataset

This repository includes the following components:

RB_3D_Meshes.zip: A compressed folder containing 3D models in PLY format.

RB_3D_Dataset.csv: A metadata CSV file with detailed attributes for each artifact.

Each artifact has been assigned a unique identifier in the format "RB" followed by a sequential number, allowing for cross-referencing with the techno-typological data presented in related publications.

The CSV file includes the following metadata attributes:

ID: Unique identifier for each artifact (e.g., "RB_1").

Scanner: Identifies the scanner used (Artec Space Spider).

Layer: Stratigraphic origin (A2, A1, and A0).

Raw_material: Categorization by raw material (e.g., chert, radiolarite).

Class: Broad artifact class (e.g., blank, core, core-tool, tool).

Blank: Detailed blank classification (blade, flake).

Technology: Technological classification (e.g., initialization, maintenance, optimal, semi-cortical, other).

Cortex: Estimated percentage of cortex coverage (0%, 1–33%, 33–66%, 66–99%, 100%).

Preservation: Breakage classification for blanks (e.g., complete, distal, mesial, proximal, undetermined). For cores and most core-tools, preservation is marked as "other".

Volume: Artifact volume in cubic millimeters.

Surface: Artifact surface area in square millimeters.

Length, Width, Thickness: Maximum linear dimensions in millimeters based on technological orientation.

Core_classification: Technological categories for cores and core-tools (e.g., bipolar, carinated, platform cores including multi-platform, narrow-sided, semi-circumferential, and core shatter).

Research and Usage Notes

Users are encouraged to consult the GitHub repository associated with the main publication on the Aurignacian sequence at Riparo Bombrini 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 ensure that this dataset is properly cited in any research or publication that utilizes it. Detailed licensing and citation information is provided within the dataset documentation.

References

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

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

Negrino F. & Riel-Salvatore J. (2018) From Neanderthals to Anatomically Modern Humans in Liguria (Italy): the current state of knowledge. In V. Borgia & E. Cristiani (eds.): Palaeolithic Italy. Advanced studies on early human adaptations in the Apennine peninsula, pp. 161-181. Sidestone Press, Leiden.

Negrino F., Rossoni-Notter E., Simon P. & Tozzi C. (2023) Il Paleolitico e il Mesolitico della Liguria. In F. Negrino & V. Tiné (eds.): Preistoria e Protostoria della Liguria,, vol. LXXIII – S3, pp. 11-58. Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche Rome.

Riel-Salvatore J. & Negrino F. (2018a) Human adaptations to climatic change in Liguria across the Middle–Upper Paleolithic transition. Journal of Quaternary Science, 33: 313-322. doi:10.1002/jqs.3005

Riel-Salvatore J. & Negrino F. (2018b) Proto-Aurignacian lithic technology, mobility, and human niche construction: A case study from Riparo Bombrini. In E. Robinson & F. Sellet (eds.): Lithic technological organization and paleoenvironmental change, pp. 163-187. Springer, NY.

Ryan D.D., Starnini E., Serradimigni M., Rossoni-Notter E., Notter O., Zerboni A., Negrino F., Grimaldi S., Vacchi M., Ragaini L., Rovere A., Perego A., Muttoni G., Santaniello F., Moussous A. & Pappalardo M. (2024) A geoarchaeological review of Balzi Rossi, Italy: A crossroad of Palaeolithic populations in the northwest Mediterranean. Quaternary Science Reviews, 327: 108515. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108515