Geological evolution and biochronological evidences of the Monte Riccio Section (Tarquinia, Central Italy)

The geological evolution of the area of M.te Riccio for the Plio-Pleistocen e time span has been pointed out. The M.te Riccio area was probably an high during Gelasian-Santernian limes. The stratigraphical sequence shows the p assage from a coastal marine environment during Pliocene, to a coastal envi ronment during Early Pleistocene (testified by evidences of shorelines) to continental conditions during the upper part of Pleistocene. The analysis o f the mammal bones coming from a level overlying a marine formation ("Macco " auct.) allow us to ascribe the faunal association to the late Villafranch ian (Tasso F.U.) referable to the beginning of the Pleistocene. It is the f irst signalation of an Early Pleistocene mammal fauna in the Northern Latiu m.