Ugly stones sharpen the wits: the Middle Palaeolithic of Piedmont in the context of Western Europe

Abstract This study examines Middle Palaeolithic lithic technology in Piedmont, with a focus on the use of quartz as the primary raw material. Due to the scarcity of local chert, the region’s lithic industries are dominated by quartz, which is mainly available in secondary deposits along watercourses. The stratified reference site is the Ciota Ciara cave, but surface lithic assemblages from Trino, Vaude Canavesane, and Baragge Biellesi were also considered. Technological analysis reveals the adoption of adaptive knapping strategies for quartz processing across all methods employed. The knapping operations are characterized by short sequences, a preference for natural striking platforms, and thicker products, strategies aimed at minimizing accidental fragmentation of the material. These adaptations are analogous to those observed in other European regions where quartz is the dominant raw material or a complementary resource. The results also confirm that Neanderthals in Piedmont developed specialized processing strategies to exploit the properties of quartz, optimizing its use despite technical challenges. Further studies are essential to better understand the chronology, the technological choices and the settlement dynamics in the region during Middle Palaeolithic, beyond the Ciota Ciara cave.