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.

Abstract: This paper presents an initial spatial examination based on the refitting of animal bones scattered in late Middle Palaeolithic units A5-A6 of Fumane Cave. The main goal is to contribute to understanding past activities and space organisation developed by Neanderthals. The analysed sample includes 4,234 bone fragments, of which 50 sets of refits were horizontally assembled, and four refits documented a vertical connection between units A5+A6 and 6. The study highlights a preponderance of short connections, suggesting that they mainly remain in their original position, although there are some refits at medium and long distances. The absence of important post-depositional agents, which could have caused bone movements, indicates that the distribution is mainly due to human actions resulting from repeated short-term occupations. Applying bone refits, multivariate statistical techniques, and GIS tools allowed us to identify two main bone accumulations on the east wall of the cave, far from the hearth positions. This study shows the importance of bone refitting in determining variability in Middle Palaeolithic occupational patterns.