The Castagnone Site (Cerrina Valley, Monferrato Hills, NW Italy): Early Pleistocene Sedimentary Record and Biochronology

Research at the Castagnone site in Italy's Cerrina Valley reveals a significant early Pleistocene sedimentary record, dating back approximately 1.07 to 0.99 million years ago during the Jaramillo Subchron. The study identified two alluvial units with distinct faunal remains, including Galerian macrofauna and microtine vole teeth, suggesting a dynamic paleoenvironmental history. Sediment analysis also indicated progressive syn-sedimentary tilting, linked to tectonic uplift in the Monferrato Hills, which appears to have stabilized before the deposition of the second alluvial unit. This finding provides crucial insights into the geological and biological evolution of the region during a pivotal period of Earth's history.

GIRAUDI, C. A. R. L. O., MOTTURA, A. L. B. E. R. T. O., SALA, B. E. N. E. D. E. T. T. O., STELLA. SIORI, M., & BORMIOLI, D. A. N. I. E. L. E. (2003). THE CASTAGNONE SITE (CERRINA VALLEY, MONFERRATO HILLS, NW ITALY): EARLY PLEISTOCENE SEDIMENTARY RECORD AND BIOCHRONOLOGY. Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, Vol 109, No 3. https://doi.org/10.13130/2039-4942/5520