ALBERT

Description: Having thrived in Eurasia for 350,000 years Neandertals disappeared from the record around 40,000-37,000 years ago, after modern humans entered Europe. It was a complex process of population interactions that included cultural exchanges and admixture between Neandertals and dispersing groups of modern humans. In Europe Neandertals are always associated with the Mousterian while the Aurignacian is associated with modern humans only. The onset of the Aurignacian is preceded by "transitional" industries which show some similarities with the Mousterian but also contain modern tool forms. Information on these industries is often incomplete or disputed and this is true of the Uluzzian. We present the results of taphonomic, typological and technological analyses of two Uluzzian sites, Grotta La Fabbrica (Tuscany) and the newly discovered site of Colle Rotondo (Latium). Comparisons with Castelcivita and Grotta del Cavallo show that the Uluzzian is a coherent cultural unit lasting about five millennia, replaced by the Protoaurignacian before the eruption of the Campanian Ignimbrite. The lack of skeletal remains at our two sites and the controversy surrounding the stratigraphic position of modern human teeth at Cavallo makes it difficult to reach agreement about authorship of the Uluzzian, for which alternative hypotheses have been proposed. Pending the discovery of DNA or further human remains, these hypotheses can only be evaluated by archaeological arguments, i.e. evidence of continuities and discontinuities between the Uluzzian and the preceding and succeeding culture units in Italy. However, in the context of "transitional" industries with disputed dates for the arrival of modern humans in Europe, and considering the case of the Châtelperronian, an Upper Paleolithic industry made by Neandertals, typo-technology used as an indicator of hominin authorship has limited predictive value. We corroborate previous suggestions that the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition occurred as steps of rapid changes and geographically uneven rates of spread.

Description: Published

Description: e0196786

Description: 1VV. Altro

Description: JCR Journal

Description: Khademite, ideally Al(SO4)F(H2O)5, from the Monte Arsiccio mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy, has been characterised through quantitative electron microprobe analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Khademite occurs as colourless to whitish tabular crystals, up to 5 mm. Electron microprobe analysis (in wt.%, average of 20 spot analyses) gave: SO3 35.43, Al2O3 21.27, F 6.92, H2Ocalc 39.73, sum 103.35, –O = F 2.92, total 100.43. On the basis of 10 anions per formula unit, assuming the occurrence of 5 H2O groups and 1 (F+OH) atom per formula unit, its chemical formula can be written as Al0.96S1.02O4[F0.84(OH)0.16]Σ1.00⋅5H2O. The Raman spectrum of khademite is characterised by the occurrence of vibrational modes of SO4 groups and by broad and strong bands due to the O–H stretching modes. Khademite is orthorhombic, space group Pcab, with unit-cell parameters a = 11.1713(2), b = 13.0432(3), c = 10.8815(2) Å, V = 1585.54(5) Å3 and Z = 8. The crystal structure refinement converged to R1 = 0.0293 on the basis of 2359 unique reflections with Fo 〉 4σ(Fo) and 152 refined parameters. The crystal structure of khademite is characterised by the alternation, along b, of two distinct kinds of {010} layers, one formed by [001] rows of isolated Al-centred octahedra, connected to each other through H bonds, and the other showing isolated SO4 groups. Along b, oxygen atoms belonging to SO4 groups act as acceptor of H bonds from H2O groups coordinating Al atoms. The new data improved the description of the H bonds in khademite and led us to discuss about the possible existence of its (OH)-analogue, rostite. In addition, Raman spectroscopic data were collected on the same crystal used for the crystal-chemical characterisation, allowing a comparison with previous results.

Description: Volaschioite, ideally Fe3+ 4(SO4)O2(OH)6{middle dot}2H2O, occurs in a small magnetite-pyrite orebody near Fornovolasco, in the Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. The new mineral species is associated with pyrite and iron oxyhydroxides. In the same occurrence, other iron sulfates were identified, including alum-(K), "copiapite", fibroferrite, halotrichite, melanterite, romerite, and voltaite. Volaschioite occurs as radial aggregates of bladed crystals, up to 100 {micro}m in length and less than 5 {micro}m across. The color is yellowish orange with an orange streak; the luster is vitreous to resinous. The mineral is transparent and strongly pleochroic. Electron-microprobe analyses lead to the empirical formula Fe4.16(SO4)0.92O2.32(OH)6{middle dot}2H2O; the calculated density is 3.03 g/cm3. Volaschioite is monoclinic, with a 16.068(4), b 3.058(1), c 10.929(2) A, {beta} 93.82(3){degrees}, V 535.8(2) A3, Z = 2, space group C2/m. The strongest three X-ray powder-diffraction lines [d in A(I)(hkl)] are: 8.03(100)(200), 4.37(24)(202), 3.989(22)(400). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction pattern shows the presence of additional very weak and streaked reflections indicating a doubling of the b parameter. The average structure of volaschioite is composed of ribbons of edge-sharing Fe-centered octahedra running along b, linked together by corner-sharing to form corrugated layers, decorated on both sides by sulfate groups. Additional H2O molecules are located between the layers. Volaschioite is the product of pyrite alteration in an oxidizing environment. The name of this new species refers to the ancient name of the type locality, Forno de Volaschio. This mineral and its name have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC (IMA2010-005).

Description: The new mineral species parasterryite has been discovered in the Pollone barite - pyrite - (Pb-Zn-Ag) deposit at Valdicastello Carducci, near Pietrasanta, in the Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. It forms acicular crystals up to 4 x 0.3 mm in vugs in quartz-barite veins. Sterryite (second world occurrence) also is present. The associated sulfides and sulfosalts are pyrite, sphalerite and various Sb-As sulfosalts. Parasterryite is black and metallic. Under the microscope, it is white with weak pleochroism; anisotropism is distinct, with greenish and brownish tints. Data on maximum and minimum reflectances for the COM wavelengths are [{lambda} (nm), Rair, Roil (%)]: 470: 35.1, 40.8 and 19.4, 22.2, 546: 33.5, 39.3 and 19.3, 21.7, 589: 32.7, 38.2 and 18.7, 21.1, 650: 31.4, 36.5 and 17.3, 19.5. Hardness VHN10 = 238 kg/mm2. An electron-microprobe analysis gave (in wt.%, mean result of 32 spot analyses): Cu 0.09(2), Ag 4.36(6), Hg 0.15(2), Pb 47.00(18), Sb 19.57(30), As 7.73(21), S 20.56(7), total 99.46(23). A single-crystal X-ray study of parasterryite indicates monoclinic symmetry, space group P21/c, with a 8.3965(5), b 27.9540(4), c 43.8840(13) A, {beta} 90.061(12){degrees}, V = 10300(3) A3. The main powder-diffraction lines [d in A(I)(hkl)] are: 3.62(100)(075, 0112, [IMG]f1.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉4, 234), 3.42(45) ([IMG]f2.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉4, 244), 3.35(95)(0113), 3.23(65)(078), 3.01(45)(239, [IMG]f1.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉9), 2.945(85)(088), 2.885(80), 1.916(45). The name parasterryite reflects its close structural relationship with sterryite. Sterryite is more abundant than parasterryite. Electron-microprobe analyses of two samples gave: 1) Sb-rich sterryite (wt.%): Cu 1.27(1), Ag 2.19(11), Hg 0.55(5), Tl 0.56(8), Pb 44.76(25), Bi 0.26(7), Sb 24.71(11), As 5.33(9), S 20.47(11), total 100.10(39), and 2) Sb-poor sterryite: Cu 0.73(4), Ag 4.12(13), Pb 44.58(16), Sb 20.84(22), As 8.27(12), S 20.92(7), total 99.47(15). The unit cell of Sb-rich sterryite is: a 8.1891(1), b 28.5294(13), c 42.98(2) A, {beta} 94.896(8){degrees}, V = 10005(5) A3 (space group P21/n). It presents a powder diagram close to that of sterryite from Madoc, Ontario, the type locality. The crystal structures of sterryite and parasterryite (not described here) are very similar, and represent a limiting case of homeotypy; they are also expanded homologues of owyheeite. The structural formula of parasterryite is based on 48 cations and 58 S, ideally Ag4Pb20(Sb14.5As9.5){sum}24S58 (Z = 4). The structural formula of sterryite is based on 47 cations and 56 S, with an (As-As)4+ dimer [d(As-As) = 2.64 A] and a specific Cu site, ideally Cu(Ag,Cu)3Pb19(Sb,As)22(As-As)S56 (Z = 4). The presence of the As-As dimer in sterryite indicates its formation with a lower f(S2) than parasterryite, which may also explain the formation of some rare Pb-Sb-As sulfosalts at Madoc.

Description: The new mineral species boscardinite was discovered in the barite – pyrite – iron oxides deposit of Monte Arsiccio, near Sant’Anna di Stazzema, in the Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. It forms a millimetric compact mass in a quartz vein embedded in dolomitic rocks. Other associated sulfides are stibnite and zinkenite. Boscardinite is metallic grey. Under the ore microscope, it is white; pleochroism is not discernible. Anisotropism is distinct, with an ubiquitous polysynthetic twinning; rotation tints are in shades of grey. Minimum and maximum reflectance data for COM wavelengths [λ (nm), Rair (%)] are: 470: 33.8/39.3, 546: 32.1/38.0, 589: 31.2/36.9, 650: 29.7/35.3. The hardness was not measured owing to the scarcity of the available material. Electron-microprobe analyses of two samples gave (wt. %, result mean of five analyses): 1) sample 4977: Ag 1.48(4), Tl 9.72(26), Pb 23.36(20), Sb 35.25(60), As 5.78(10), S 22.14(45), Se 0.04(1), total 97.77(90); 2) sample 4989: Ag 1.37(7), Tl 8.96(19), Pb 25.74(20), Sb 33.46(32), As 6.54(8), S 22.08(29), Se 0.01(1), total 98.16(63). On the basis of ∑Me = 14 apfu, they lead to the formulae Ag0.36Tl1.23Pb2.92(Sb7.50As2.00)∑9.50S17.88Se0.01 and Ag0.33Tl1.13Pb3.20(Sb7.09As2.25)∑9.34S17.76, respectively. A single-crystal X-ray study of boscardinite indicates triclinic symmetry, space group P1̄, with a 8.0929(4), b 8.7610(5), c 22.4971(11) Å, α 90.868(4), β 97.247(4), γ 90.793(4)°, V 1582.0(2) Å3, Z = 2. The d values (Å) of the main powder-diffraction lines, corresponding to multiple hkl indices, are (relative intensity visually estimated): 3.705 (ms), 3.540 (ms), 3.479 (m), 3.085 (m), 2.977 (ms), 2.824 (vs), 2.707 (s), 2.324 (ms), and 2.176 (ms). Boscardinite is the Tl–Sb homeotype of baumhauerite; its crystal structure has been solved by X-ray single-crystal study on the basis of 4319 observed reflections with a final R1 = 0.045. It can be described in the sartorite homologous series as formed by the 1:1 alternation of sartorite-type and dufrénoysite-type layers. The simplified structural formula is based on 18 sulfur atoms and can ideally be written as TlPb4(Sb7As2)∑9S18. The name boscardinite honors Matteo Boscardin for his contribution to knowledge of the regional mineralogy of Italy.

Description: Ambrinoite, ideally (K,NH4)2(As,Sb)8S13{middle dot}H2O, occurs as a rare sulfosalt species in the Triassic evaporitic formation of Gessi (gypsum) outcropping near the hamlet of Signols (Oulx, Susa Valley, Torino, Piedmont, Italy). The new species is associated with sulfur and orpiment; in the same occurrence galkhaite, stibnite, and enargite were also identified. Ambrinoite occurs as aggregates of tabular crystals up to 1 mm in length. The color is red, with an orange-red streak; the luster is vitreous to resinous. The mineral is transparent; its microhardness VHN(10 g) = 30 kg/mm2, corresponding to a Mohs hardness of about 2. Electron microprobe analysis gives the empirical formula [K1.43(NH4)0.42Na0.02Tl0.01]{sum}=1.88 (As5.82Sb2.18){sum}=8.00S13.22{middle dot}1.2H2O, close to stoichiometric [K1.5(NH4)0.5]{sum}=2(As6Sb2){sum}=8S13{middle dot}H2O; the calculated density is 3.276 g/cm3. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of water and ammonium cation. Ambrinoite is triclinic, space group P[IMG]f1.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉, with a = 9.704(1), b = 11.579(1), c = 12.102(2) A, {alpha} = 112.82(1), {beta} = 103.44(1), {gamma} = 90.49(1){degrees}, V = 1211.6(3) A3, Z = 2. The strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines [d in A (I) (hkl)] are: 10.78 (100) (001), 5.79 (55) (0[IMG]f2.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉1), 4.23 (35) (102), 5.31 (34) ([IMG]f1.gif" ALT="Formula" BORDER="0"〉02), 5.39 (32) (002). Its crystal structure has been solved by X-ray single-crystal diffraction on the basis of 2667 unique reflections, with a final R = 0.035. It is formed by two kinds of modules: slabs (110)PbS of modified PbS archetype (type A slabs) and openwork slabs with channels accomodating (K,NH4)+ cations and H2O molecules (type B slabs). Its structure can be described as an order-disorder (OD) structure, built up by two different kinds of layers. Taking into account only the short (As,Sb)-S bonds, (As,Sb)S3 triangular pyramids form double chains similar to those described in other natural and synthetic compounds, among which its homeotype gillulyite, as well as gerstleyite. Ambrinoite belongs to the hutchinsonite merotypic family. It is probably the product of late-stage hydrothermal fluid circulation. The name of this new mineral species (IMA 2009-071) honors Pierluigi Ambrino (b. 1947), the mineral collector who kindly provided us with the studied specimens.

Description: Boscardinite, ideally TlPb4(Sb7As2)∑9S18, has been described recently as a new homeotypic derivative of baumhauerite, found at Monte Arsiccio mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. New findings of boscardinite in different mineral associations of this deposit have allowed the collection of new crystal-chemical data. Electron-microprobe analysis of the crystal used for the single-crystal X-ray diffraction study gave (in wt.%): Ag 1.81(5), Tl 12.60(21), Pb 17.99(12), Hg 0.14(5), As 9.36(12), Sb 33.60(27), S 23.41(30),Cl 0.06(1), total 98.97(100). On the basis of ∑Me= 14 apfu, it corresponds to Ag0.42Tl1.52Pb2.14Hg0.02(Sb6.82As3.08)∑9.90S18.04Cl0.04. With respect to the type specimen, these new findings are characterized by a strong Pb depletion, coupled with higher Tl contents, and a significant As enrichment. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of this (Tl,As)-enriched boscardinite confirms the structural features described for the type sample. The unit-cell parameters area= 8.1017(4),b= 8.6597(4),c= 22.5574(10) Å, α = 90.666(2), β = 97.242(2), γ = 90.850(2)°,V= 1569.63(12) Å3, space groupP̄1. The crystal structure was refined down toR1= 0.0285 on the basis of 6582 reflections withFo〉 4σ(Fo). Arsenic is dominant in threeMeS3sites, compared to one in type boscardinite. The main As-enrichment is observed in the sartorite-type sub-layer. Owing to this chemical peculiarity, (Tl, As)-rich boscardinite shows alternation, alongb, of Sb-rich sites and As-rich sites; this feature represents the main factor controlling the 8 Å superstructure. The chemical variability of boscardinite is discussed; the Ag increase observed here gets closer to stoichiometric AgTl3Pb4(Sb14As6)∑20S36(Z= 1), against possible extension up to AgTl2Pb6(Sb15As4)∑19S36for type boscardinite.