La Caverna delle Arene candide. Produzioni ceramiche e dinamiche di popolamento in Liguria occidentale nel corso del VI millennio BCE

The early Neolithic of the western Mediterranean is represented by a polymorphic set of cultural expressions, traditionally defined by the presence of impressed wares, that developed during the sixth millennium BCE. By tracing the morphological and decorative variability of these ceramic productions, it was possible to outline a model of arrhythmic progression of the Neolithic package diffusion, from east to west, characterized by a continuous renewal of its techno-cultural components. Within this context, from the beginning of the sixth millennium BCE, Liguria is a particularly representative space of the social and cultural transformations that took place in the western Mediterranean and represents a privileged area for the untangling of the mechanisms of Neolithic diffusion in this area. This research focused on the technological analysis of ceramic production in order to decode the techno-economic systems of the Neolithic groups, through an integrated study, which was structured in two progressive and complementary levels, from infra-site to a regional scale. Recent excavations at the Arene Candide cave (1997-2012) documented in detail a clear stratigraphic sequence related to the early Neolithic phases, providing new and consistent proxy data. The technological analysis of the ceramic assemblage resulting from these researches allowed for the reconstruction of the pottery production system in relation to the stratigraphic and chronological articulation, highlighting an evolution of technical and stylistic behaviours during the sixth millennium BCE. This led to the elaboration of a diachronic model, articulated in different chrono-cultural horizons, each characterized by specific techno-stylistic markers. The systematic revision of the pottery from the contemporary sites of the region, mainly distributed between the Finalese region and Val Pennavaira, and often neglected due to their absent or unreliable contextual documentation, was also implemented. This revision allowed for the clarification of the chronological and cultural attribution of these ceramic sets, providing new elements for a diachronic reconstruction of settlement dynamics, as well as of the organization and management of the territory during the sixth millennium BCE, and finally revealed cultural interactions with the western Mediterranean basin. In general, the results obtained by this study increase, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the data relating to the early Neolithic stages of the region, unlocking the informative potential of a holistic approach to the analysis of the ceramic document, even when applied to remarkably fragmentary materials. These new results contribute to the ongoing debate on the complex phenomenon of the neolithization of the western Mediterranean.