Reconstructing the Late Pleistocene – Anthropocene interaction between the neotectonic and archaeological landscape evolution in the Apennines (La Sassa cave, Italy)

Caves are one of the most conservative environments on Earth, where archaeological, anthropological, climatic and tectonic data can be well-preserved. Here, we present results a multidisciplinary method that allowed us to recognize, for first time in this area, interaction between Late Pleistocene Anthropocene neotectonic archaeological evolutionary stages cave Apennines (La Sassa cave), encompass also its surroundings (Volsci Range Pontina Plain). Both structural 3D survey highlighted step-wise shape due normal fault steps localized formation concretions enveloping layers. Sixteen 14C ages fauna human bones thousands finds provided chronological constraints faulting possibly after Middle Bronze Age. In frame region was not previously recognized as tectonically active, evidence is relevant understanding speleogenesis from occupation. Burial ritual activities Copper Age have been with implications possible settlement pattern schemes La “persistent place” prehistoric landscape. The analyses ceramic style regional framework suggests presence cultural boundary near Sassa, which becomes highly osmotic just beginning findings provide well seismic hazard assessment inhabited by about 0.4 million people.