PALEOCLIMATE AND PALEOENVIRONMENT IN NORTH-WESTERN ITALY (SOUTHERN ALPS) DURING THE LAST GLACIAL STAGE: THE SMALL-MAMMAL RECORD FROM THE BUCO DEL FRATE CAVE (PREVALLE – BRESCIA)

The palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental data obtained by the study of Buco del Frate cave small-mammals indicate that, around 40,000 years ago (MIS3), eastern part province Brescia, immediately to west Lake Garda, was characterised presence open taiga environment watercourses crossing plain facing cave. Specifically, conditions this north-western Italy – compared climate for 1960-90 measured at Ghedi, 20 km southwest involved average temperatures some 4° C cooler rainfall 30% lower. Based on collected we show that western Po Valley, characterized a steppe-like environment, not too different from almost contemporaneous site Settepolesini di Bondeno (Ferrara), defined as "mammoth steppe". We also note if with deposits high- medium-mountain contexts in same area, more environment. Indeed, mountain settings, perhaps sheltered areas, environments trees (or, least, bushes).