The Open Aurignacian Project. Volume 3: Grotta della Cala in southern Italy

Overview This repository houses a comprehensive dataset comprising high-resolution 3D meshes of lithic artifacts (n = 420) and bone tools (n = 3). Lithics include cores, blanks (e.g., blades, bladelets, and flakes), and retouched tools recovered from the Aurignacian sequence at Grotta della Cala (40.00108243N, 015.38095416E) in Marina di Camerota, Salerno, Campania, southern Italy (Benini et al., 1997). The artifacts derive from four excavation spits (AU13–AU10), all attributed to the Early Aurignacian (Falcucci et al., in preparation). Grotta della Cala has been redated recently by Higham et al. (2024) using radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. These methods have refined the chronological boundaries between the preceding Uluzzian layer and the Early Aurignacian. Notably, OSL dating from spit AU12 (X7042, 38,390–34,682 cal BP at 68.3% probability) and radiocarbon dating from spit AU10 (OxA-35601, 38,840–37,637 cal BP at 68.3% probability) suggest that the Aurignacian sequence was deposited after 40,000 years ago, following the Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic super-eruption (Giaccio et al., 2017). This sequence is of paramount importance for understanding biocultural processes occurring after this major volcanic event and during Heinrich Stadial 4. The 3D scanning of artifacts was performed using the first models of the Artec Space Spider (n = 369) and Artec Micro (n = 51) scanners from Artec Inc., Luxembourg. The scanning process adhered to best practices for lithic digitization (Göldner et al., 2022), ensuring accurate capture of artifact details. 3D scanning with the Artec Spider follows the third version of the Styrostone protocol outlined by Göldner et al. (2023). For detailed information, please refer to Part 8 (Artec scanning of larger artifacts) of the protocol: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3. 3D scanning with the Artec Micro follows the Microstone protocol by Falcucci (2022): dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1. The use of the Artec Micro was particularly valuable for digitizing extremely small lithics, such as retouched bladelets with lengths around 1 cm. The creation of this open-access repository is intended to encourage archaeologists to participate in collaborative initiatives, thereby contributing to the advancement of research in the field of lithic technology and facilitating broader access to the prehistoric record. This initiative aligns with the promotion of Open Science practices in archaeological sciences, as advocated by Marwick et al. (2017). This dataset is part of the Open Aurignacian Project. Author contact Dr. Armando Falcucci [e-mail]; [e-mail] Description of the dataset This repository includes 3D meshes in PLY format of lithic artifacts and bone tools. They are organized as follows: Lithics: Ca_3D_Meshes.zip: Compressed folder containing 3D models in PLY format for the lithic artifacts. Readme_Cala_3D.txt: This README file provides detailed information about the 3D models and metadata associated with this repository. It includes descriptions of the dataset's structure, the scanning and postprocessing protocols, and detailed metadata variables for the lithic artifacts, including scanning technology, resolution, and file formats. The file serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the dataset and how to properly use and cite the data for research purposes. Cala_3D_metadata.csv: CSV file containing information, characteristics, and metadata of the lithic artifacts. The Cala_3D_metadata.csv file includes the following metadata attributes: ID: Each artifact has been assigned a unique identifier in the format "Ca" followed by a sequential number, allowing for cross-referencing with techno-typological data presented in related publications. Site: The archaeological site where the lithic was excavated. Sublayer: The stratigraphic origin of the lithic. Raw_material: Categorization by the type of raw material (e.g., Chert, Radiolarite). Class: Broad artifact sorting (e.g., Blank, Core, Core-Tool, Tool), following common classifications in lithic analysis. Cores are pieces of any size that lack a dorsal/ventral surface but have two or more blade/bladelet/flake scars. Tools are pieces of any size that exhibit retouch along the margins. Core-tools are pieces that have produced bladelets but can also be classified as tools (e.g., carinated endscrapers and burin cores) following a typological classification. Blanks are flaked pieces with both a dorsal and ventral face. Blank: Classification of the blank into flake, blade, and bladelet categories. A blade is defined as a flaked blank whose length is at least twice its width, regardless of shape. Bladelets are defined as blades whose maximum width is less than 12 mm. Technology: Technological classification of the blanks into categories such as initialization, maintenance, optimal, semi-cortical, and others, following Falcucci et al. (2020) and Falcucci et al. (2024). Core_classification: Technological categories for cores and core-tools (e.g., Carinated, Multi-platform, Narrow-sided, Semicircumferential) following Falcucci & Peresani (2018). Cortex: Percentage of cortex coverage (0%, 1–33%, 33–66%, 66–99%, 100%), estimated visually. Preservation: Breakage classification for blanks (e.g., Complete, Distal, Mesial, Proximal, Undetermined). For cores and most core-tools, preservation is marked as "Other". Volume: The volume of the artifact in cubic millimeters. Surface: The surface area of the artifact in square millimeters. Length: Maximum length in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper. Width: Maximum width in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper. Thickness: Maximum thickness in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper. File_list: The list of files in the dataset that correspond to this specific ID. Model_unit: The unit of measurement used for the 3D model. When viewing the artifact in a 3D viewer that supports real-world units, this is the unit you enter into your program to ensure proper scaling. Note that this is not related to the object's resolution; it's simply the value needed for accurate scaling when importing the model into your 3D program. #_of_polygons: The number of polygons in the 3D model of the artifact. Avg_edge_length(mm)/Resolution: The average distance between points on the model, serving as an effective measure of the model's resolution. Resolution_score: A qualitative value assigned to each model, reflecting its resolution. Based on the entire set of scans from the Open Aurignacian Project, it classifies artifacts into four categories (i.e., ultra-detailed, detailed, moderate detail, low detail) based on their average edge length, providing an assessment of the model's resolution relative to others in the project. Scanner: The specific model of the scanner used to capture the 3D data of the lithic artifact. Scan_software: The version of the software used in conjunction with the scanner to capture the 3D data of the artifact. Postprocessing_software: The version of the software used to execute postprocessing algorithms and generate the final 3D mesh of the artifact. Coating: Yes/No entry speifying if coating was used for any scan. Bone Tools: Ca_3D_Bone_Tools.zip: A compressed folder containing 3D models of bone tools identified in the Aurignacian spits. This includes two antler Split-Based Points (Ca_SBP_8a, Ca_SBP_8b) and one bone awl (Ca_Awl_8c). The alphanumeric codes (8a, 8b, and 8c) correspond to the figures in the associated publication (Falcucci et al., in press). Research and Usage Notes Users are encouraged to consult the GitHub repository associated with the main publication on the Aurignacian sequence at Grotta della Cala 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 cite this repository and related publications when using this dataset in your research. Licensing details and citation formats are provided in the repository documentation. References Benini A., Boscato P. & Gambassini P. (1997) Grotta della Cala (Salerno): industrie litiche e faune uluzziane ed aurignaziane. Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche, 48: 37-95. Falcucci A. (2022) MicroStone: Exploring the capabilities of the Artec Micro in scanning stone tools. protocols.io. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1 Falcucci A. & Peresani M. (2018) Protoaurignacian Core Reduction Procedures: Blade and Bladelet Technologies at Fumane Cave. Lithic Technology 43: 125-140. doi:10.1080/01977261.2018.1439681 Falcucci A., Conard N.J. & Peresani M. (2020) Breaking through the Aquitaine frame: A re-evaluation on the significance of regional variants during the Aurignacian as seen from a key record in southern Europe. Journal of Anthropological Sciences, 98: 99-140. doi:https://doi.org/10.4436/JASS.98021 Falcucci A., Arrighi S., Spagnolo V., Rossini M., Higgins O.A., Muttillo B., Martini I., Crezzini J., Boschin F., Ronchitelli A. & Moroni A. (2024) A pre-Campanian Ignimbrite techno-cultural shift in the Aurignacian sequence of Grotta di Castelcivita, southern Italy. Scientific Reports, 14: 12783. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59896-6 Falcucci, A., Kitagawa, K., Doyon, L., Tassoni, L., Higham, T., Dominic, C., Dreossi, D., Crezzini, J., Rossini, M., Benazzi, S., Martini, I., Boschin, F., Spagnolo, V., & Moroni, A. (in preparation). Revisiting the Early Aurignacian in Italy: New Insights from Grotta della Cala. Quaternary Science Reviews. Giaccio B., Hajdas I., Isaia R., Deino A. & Nomade S. (2017) High-precision 14C and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Campanian Ignimbrite (Y-5) reconciles the time-scales of climatic-cultural processes at 40 ka. Scientific Reports, 7: 45940. doi:10.1038/srep45940 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 Göldner D., Karakostis F.A. & Falcucci A. (2023) StyroStone: A protocol for scanning and extracting three-dimensional meshes of stone artefacts using Micro-CT scanners V.3. protocols.io. dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3 Higham T., Frouin M., Douka K., Ronchitelli A., Boscato P., Benazzi S., Crezzini J., Spagnolo V., McCarty M., Marciani G., Falcucci A., Rossini M., Arrighi S., Dominici C., Devièse T., Schwenninger J.-L., Martini I., Moroni A. & Boschin F. (2024) Chronometric data and stratigraphic evidence support discontinuity between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens in the Italian Peninsula. Nature Communications,15: 8016. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51546-9 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/3D6XXOverview 本数据集仓库包含一套完整的高分辨率三维网格模型（3D meshes）数据集，涵盖420件石制品（lithic artifacts）与3件骨器（bone tools）的三维模型。石制品包括石核、石坯（如石叶、细石叶与石片）以及经过修制的工具，均出土自意大利南部坎帕尼亚大区萨勒诺省马里纳迪卡梅罗塔的卡拉洞穴（Grotta della Cala，40.00108243N, 015.38095416E）的奥瑞纳文化（Aurignacian）地层序列（Benini等，1997）。所有出土标本均来自4个发掘层位（AU13–AU10），全部归属于早奥瑞纳文化阶段（Falcucci等，待刊）。 Higham等（2024）近期利用碳十四测年与光释光（optically stimulated luminescence, OSL）技术对卡拉洞穴的地层进行了重新定年，明确了前期乌卢兹文化（Uluzzian）地层与早奥瑞纳文化地层之间的年代分界。值得注意的是，层位AU12的光释光测年结果（X7042，68.3%置信区间为38390–34682校准距今年（cal BP））与层位AU10的碳十四测年结果（OxA-35601，68.3%置信区间为38840–37637 cal BP）均显示，奥瑞纳文化地层堆积年代晚于40000年前，即坎皮佛莱格瑞火山超级喷发（Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic super-eruption）之后（Giaccio等，2017）。该地层序列对于理解此次大规模火山事件之后以及海因里希冰阶4（Heinrich Stadial 4）期间的生物文化进程具有关键意义。 本数据集的标本三维扫描工作采用卢森堡Artec公司生产的初代Artec Space Spider扫描仪（共扫描369件标本）与Artec Micro扫描仪（共扫描51件标本）完成。扫描流程遵循石制品数字化的最佳操作规范（Göldner等，2022），确保精准捕获标本的细节特征。使用Artec Spider进行的三维扫描遵循Göldner等（2023）发布的第三版Styrostone扫描流程；如需了解详细流程，请参阅该规程的第8部分（大型石制品的Artec扫描）：dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3。使用Artec Micro进行的三维扫描则遵循Falcucci（2022）发布的Microstone扫描规程：dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1。Artec Micro扫描仪尤其适用于尺寸极小的石制品的数字化工作，例如长度仅约1厘米的修制细石叶。 本开放获取数据集仓库的创建旨在鼓励考古学者参与协作研究，从而推动石制品技术研究领域的发展，并促进史前考古记录的更广泛共享。该举措契合考古科学领域开放科学（Open Science）实践的推广理念，这一理念由Marwick等（2017）提出。本数据集属于开放奥瑞纳项目（Open Aurignacian Project）的一部分。 作者联系方式 Armando Falcucci博士 [e-mail]; [e-mail] 数据集说明 本仓库包含石制品与骨器的PLY格式三维网格模型，具体组织形式如下： 石制品： Ca_3D_Meshes.zip：压缩文件夹，内含石制品的PLY格式三维模型文件。 Readme_Cala_3D.txt：本README文件详细说明本仓库中的三维模型与元数据信息，涵盖数据集结构、扫描与后处理规程，以及石制品的详细元数据变量（包括扫描技术、模型分辨率与文件格式等）。该文件是理解本数据集、正确使用数据并在研究中规范引用数据的全面指南。 Cala_3D_metadata.csv：包含石制品信息、特征与元数据的CSV格式文件。 Cala_3D_metadata.csv文件包含以下元数据字段： ID：每件标本均分配有唯一标识符，格式为"Ca"加连续编号，可与已发表相关研究中的技术类型学（techno-typological）数据进行交叉对照。 Site：石制品的发掘考古遗址。 Sublayer：石制品的地层起源。 Raw_material：按石制品原料类型进行的分类（如燧石、放射虫岩等）。 Class：石制品的大类划分（如Blank, Core, Core-Tool, Tool），遵循石制品分析中的通用分类标准。其中，石核指任意尺寸、无背/腹面但带有2处及以上石叶/细石叶/石片疤痕的标本；修制工具指任意尺寸、边缘带有修制痕迹的标本；核工具指既产出细石叶又可被归类为工具的标本（如carinated endscrapers与burin cores），遵循类型学分类标准；石坯指同时带有背面与腹面的打制标本。 Blank：将石坯划分为石片、石叶与细石叶三类。其中，石叶指长度至少为宽度两倍的打制石坯，形状不限；细石叶指最大宽度小于12毫米的石叶。 Technology：石坯的技术分类，包括initialization、maintenance、optimal、semi-cortical等类别，遵循Falcucci等（2020）与Falcucci等（2024）的分类标准。 Core_classification：石核与核工具的技术分类（如Carinated、Multi-platform、Narrow-sided、Semicircumferential等），遵循Falcucci & Peresani（2018）的分类标准。 Cortex：通过目视估算的标本皮层覆盖百分比（0%、1–33%、33–66%、66–99%、100%）。 Preservation：石坯的破碎程度分类（如Complete、Distal、Mesial、Proximal、Undetermined）。对于石核与多数核工具，保存状态标记为"Other"。 Volume：标本的体积，单位为立方毫米。 Surface：标本的表面积，单位为平方毫米。 Length：基于技术定向的最大长度，单位为毫米，通过数显游标卡尺测量得到。 Width：基于技术定向的最大宽度，单位为毫米，通过数显游标卡尺测量得到。 Thickness：基于技术定向的最大厚度，单位为毫米，通过数显游标卡尺测量得到。 File_list：本数据集内与该特定ID对应的文件清单。 Model_unit：三维模型使用的测量单位。当在支持真实世界单位的三维查看器中查看标本时，需在程序中输入该单位以确保模型正确缩放。请注意，该参数与模型分辨率无关，仅用于在导入三维模型时实现精准缩放。 #_of_polygons：标本三维模型的多边形总数。 Avg_edge_length(mm)/Resolution：模型上顶点间的平均距离，可作为衡量模型分辨率的有效指标。 Resolution_score：为每个模型分配的定性分值，用于反映其分辨率水平。基于开放奥瑞纳项目的全部扫描数据集，该评分根据平均边长将标本分为四类（即ultra-detailed、detailed、moderate detail、low detail），用于评估本项目内各模型的相对分辨率。 Scanner：用于采集石制品三维数据的扫描仪具体型号。 Scan_software：与扫描仪配套使用、用于采集标本三维数据的软件版本。 Postprocessing_software：用于执行后处理算法并生成最终标本三维网格模型的软件版本。 Coating：标注是否在扫描过程中使用了涂层，选项为"Yes"或"No"。 骨器： Ca_3D_Bone_Tools.zip：压缩文件夹，内含奥瑞纳文化层位出土骨器的三维模型，包括2件鹿角基部分裂尖状器（Ca_SBP_8a、Ca_SBP_8b）与1件骨锥（Ca_Awl_8c）。其中的字母数字编码（8a、8b、8c）对应已发表相关研究中的图版编号（Falcucci等，即刊）。 研究与使用说明 建议用户查阅与卡拉洞穴奥瑞纳文化序列主研究相关的GitHub仓库，以获取更多技术类型学数据与分析资源。本数据集旨在促进石制品分析领域的开放协作与研究可重复性，契合考古研究的最佳实践标准。 许可与引用 若在研究中使用本数据集，请引用本仓库及相关已发表文献。许可详情与引用格式已在仓库文档中说明。 参考文献 1. Benini A, Boscato P, Gambassini P. 1997. Grotta della Cala (Salerno): industrie litiche e faune uluzziane ed aurignaziane. *Rivista di Scienze Preistoriche*, 48: 37–95. 2. Falcucci A. 2022. MicroStone: Exploring the capabilities of the Artec Micro in scanning stone tools. protocols.io. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.81wgb6781lpk/v1 3. Falcucci A, Peresani M. 2018. Protoaurignacian Core Reduction Procedures: Blade and Bladelet Technologies at Fumane Cave. *Lithic Technology*, 43: 125–140. DOI: 10.1080/01977261.2018.1439681 4. Falcucci A, Conard NJ, Peresani M. 2020. Breaking through the Aquitaine frame: A re-evaluation on the significance of regional variants during the Aurignacian as seen from a key record in southern Europe. *Journal of Anthropological Sciences*, 98: 99–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4436/JASS.98021 5. Falcucci A, Arrighi S, Spagnolo V, Rossini M, Higgins OA, Muttillo B, Martini I, Crezzini J, Boschin F, Ronchitelli A, Moroni A. 2024. A pre-Campanian Ignimbrite techno-cultural shift in the Aurignacian sequence of Grotta di Castelcivita, southern Italy. *Scientific Reports*, 14: 12783. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59896-6 6. Falcucci A, Kitagawa K, Doyon L, Tassoni L, Higham T, Dominic C, Dreossi D, Crezzini J, Rossini M, Benazzi S, Martini I, Boschin F, Spagnolo V, Moroni A. 待刊. Revisiting the Early Aurignacian in Italy: New Insights from Grotta della Cala. *Quaternary Science Reviews*. 7. Giaccio B, Hajdas I, Isaia R, Deino A, Nomade S. 2017. High-precision 14C and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Campanian Ignimbrite (Y-5) reconciles the time-scales of climatic-cultural processes at 40 ka. *Scientific Reports*, 7: 45940. DOI: 10.1038/srep45940 8. Göldner D, Karakostis FA, 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 9. Göldner D, Karakostis FA, Falcucci A. 2023. StyroStone: A protocol for scanning and extracting three-dimensional meshes of stone artefacts using Micro-CT scanners V.3. protocols.io. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.4r3l24d9qg1y/v3 10. Higham T, Frouin M, Douka K, Ronchitelli A, Boscato P, Benazzi S, Crezzini J, Spagnolo V, McCarty M, Marciani G, Falcucci A, Rossini M, Arrighi S, Dominici C, Devièse T, Schwenninger J-L, Martini I, Moroni A, Boschin F. 2024. Chronometric data and stratigraphic evidence support discontinuity between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens in the Italian Peninsula. *Nature Communications*, 15: 8016. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51546-9 11. Marwick B, d’Alpoim Guedes J, Barton CM, Bates LA, Baxter M, Bevan A, Bollwerk EA, Bocinsky RK, Brughmans T, Carter AK, Conrad C, Contreras DA, Costa S, Crema ER, Daggett A, Davies B, Drake BL, Dye TS, France P, Fullagar R, Giusti D, Graham S, Harris MD, Hawks J, Heath S, Huffer D, Kansa EC, Kansa SW, Madsen ME, Melcher J, Negre J, Neiman FD, Opitz R, Orton DC, Przstupa P, Raviele M, Riel-Savatore J, Riris P, Romanowska I, Smith J, Strupler N, Ullah II, Van Vlack HG, VanValkenburgh N, Watrall EC, Webster C, Wells J, Winters J, Wren CD. 2017. Open science in archaeology. *SAA Archaeological Record*, 17: 8–14. DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/3D6XX