Bone refits and implications for the reconstruction of a late Middle Palaeolithic context: unit A9 of Fumane cave

Abstract Refitting studies provide valuable data to achieve topics like assemblage formation processes, post-depositional dynamics, settlement patterns, and the definition and integrity of stratigraphic units. The distribution of remains and documented connection lines allow an understanding of space use and, consequently, human behaviour. Although these premises, faunal refits have hitherto been poorly applied in archaeological sites. This paper aims to present an innovative methodology applied for the first time to the Middle Palaeolithic unit A9 (47.6–45.0 Ky Cal BP) of Fumane Cave (Verona, Italy), which includes refits, spatial archaeology, and multivariate statistic techniques. The main goal is to explore the site's anthropogenic use during the occupation of level A9 and validate the degree of synchronicity between hearths and activity areas. The analysed sample includes 2,933 bone fragments.