Changes in mammal assemblages during the lateglacial-earliest Holocene

Abstract

At first the main hypotheses on the causes of extinctions and reductions of mammal areals during the time interval last Pleniglacial-earliest Holocene, are briefly described. The faunal variations which occurred in Italy in this time interval are analysed. In the last Pleniglacial (Gravettian-early final Epigravettian cultural phases) areas with faunal assemblages characterized by the dominance of horses, or cervids, or caprines are recognizable. During Lateglacial-eariiest Holocene the faunal assemblages become as on average more uniform suggesting an increase of wooded area.