The site of Notarchirico (Venosa Basin, Italy) and the hominin behavior in the Middle Pleistocene: New insights from taphonomy and spatial archaeology.

New Zealand has a rich Late Pleistocene–Holocene vertebrate fossil record with numerous sites across the country in dune, cave and wetland deposits, collectively providing detailed knowledge on the composition and distribution of the immediately pre-human avifauna. In contrast, older Pleistocene terrestrial vertebrate fossil deposits are unknown in New Zealand caves and are otherwise limited to the Early Pleistocene Marton beach deposit and isolated bones (mainly dinornithiforms) from Early–Middle Pleistocene marine sediments. The Late Pleistocene to late Holocene record reveals no species turnover in the avifauna until human arrival in the latest Holocene (ca 750 years before present [ybp]) precipitated a cascade of extinctions and faunal replacement. However, substantial differences between the avifaunas of the Early Miocene St Bathans Fauna and the Holocene reveals major turnover also occurred prior to the Late Pleistocene but the timing and hence drivers of this turnover are unknown. Here we report the discovery of the first Early Pleistocene vertebrate fauna from a New Zealand cave. It derives from deposits in Moa Eggshell Cave, near Waitomo Caves, North Island, that are constrained in age by the presence of two key marker tephra beds, from the earlier 1.55 million year (Ma) old Ngaroma and later 1 Ma Kidnappers eruptions and a 535 thousand year (ka) old speleothem date on the sediment’s top surface. This fauna includes four species of frog (Leiopelma spp.) and 12 species-level taxa of birds of which minimally four and probably six are not known from Late Pleistocene avifaunas. Two species are described as new, Strigops insulaborealis sp. nov. (Strigopidae) and Porphyrio claytongreenei sp. nov. (Rallidae), and a phabine species of columbid is reported from the New Zealand avifauna for the first time. This pre-Kidnappers-tephra fauna therefore reveals 33–50% species turnover in the avifauna in the last 1 Ma that coincides with the increased magnitude of glacial-interglacial climate oscillations during this period. The timing and presence of deposits from the 1 Ma Kidnappers supereruption suggests, however, that volcanism may have also influenced species turnover at this crucial time interval, with widespread pyroclastic flows and thick ashfall impacting on many ground-dwelling bird species. Zoobank LSID of publication: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A16F0299-038B-45A3-AD58-CDE1BCE2A2B2 Trevor H. Worthy* [trevor.worthy@flinders.edu.au], College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, PO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. R. Paul Scofield [pscofield@canterburymuseum.com], Canterbury Museum, Private Bag 4744, Christchurch 8154, New Zealand; Sneha Suresh [snehasuresh.24@gmail.com], School of Environment, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Simon J. Barker [simon.barker@vuw.ac.nz], School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; Colin J. N. Wilson [colin.wilson@vuw.ac.nz], School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; Paul W. Williams [p.williams@auckland.ac.nz], School of Environment, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Joel A. Baker [joelallenbaker@gmail.com], School of Environment, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Summary Palaeomagnetic studies of impact glasses offer valuable insights into their magnetization processes and thermal histories associated with impact cratering events. Australasian tektites are broadly distributed in the largest and youngest strewn field of the Cenozoic, and they provide a unique opportunity to investigate the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field around 788 ka and potential impact-induced magnetic fields. The northern part of the Australasian strewn field covers South China, and it corresponds to the uprange zone of the impactor’s trajectory. Magnetic properties of Australasian tektites in South China may contain unique information about this impact event, but their palaeomagnetic characteristics remain poorly constrained. Here, we report the first palaeointensity data of Australasian tektites sampled from the Early-Middle Pleistocene strata in South China. The results show that Muong Nong-type tektites recorded palaeointensities of 30 ± 8 μT, consistent with the geomagnetic field intensity around 780–790 ka. These findings suggest that around 788 ka, Earth’s magnetic field had partially recovered from the earlier intensity decline associated with the precursor event of the Matuyama–Brunhes reversal. By contrast, the splash-form tektites in South China are characterized by extremely weak natural remanent magnetization and unstable magnetization components, posing challenges for deriving reliable palaeointensity data. Although strong impact-induced remanent magnetization was not detected in the samples, this study demonstrates that Australasian tektites, particularly Muong Nong-type, are well suited for palaeomagnetic studies that may reveal potential impact-induced magnetization.

Monsoon and sea-level induced environmental shifts in the Bohai Sea, East Asia during the early-middle Pleistocene

Abstract Megantereon is an iconic sabertoothed cat known from the Quaternary deposits of the Old World, being its evolutionary scenario and phylogenetic relationships hotly debated the last decades. Several authors proposed that there is only one species, i.e. M. cultridens , or two species, plus M. whitei in Eurasia and Africa of Pleistocene, while some authors proposed multiple species present. Here we describe a mostly complete cranium and several fragmented mandibular fragments of a very large and robust form of Megantereon from Bajiazui, Qingyang, northwestern China, assigned to M. inexpectatus . Several new skulls/crania of M. nihowanensis from Longdan (Gansu, China) were analysed and they further provide a better basis for evaluating the intraspecific variability of this lineage. The analyses here reported, support the recognition of two species from a single lineage of Megantereon in northern China since the earliest Pleistocene to the middle Pleistocene, with smaller M. nihowanensis in the Gelasian, and slightly larger and more robust M. inexpectatus with more derived dentition during the Calabrian to the early Middle Pleistocene. This scenario is different from what is seen in Europe, where the primitive M. cultridens evolved to smaller and dentally specialized M. adroveri .

New postcranial material of Panthera gombaszoegensis, a large pantherine felid, is analyzed from the English site of Corton (early Middle Pleistocene, possibly 0.7–0.6 mya) and the Polish site of Rogóżka Cave (0.45–0.35 mya). Both records are attributable to Panthera gombaszoegensis gombaszoegensis. This robust chronosubspecies is characteristic of the late Early and Middle Pleistocene, ca. last 1.5 mya. Both findings contribute valuable data on the knowledge of the species. The most likely factors that contributed to the extinction of P. gombaszoegensis were intraspecific competition with African newcomers, such as P. s. fossilis and C. crocuta, combined with climatic fluctuations and shifts in prey availability.

The Early Pleistocene continental deposits of the Tiberino Basin (Central Italy) host exceptionally preserved fossil charophyte assemblages that provide critical insights into palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic dynamics during a key phase of the Mediterranean evolution. Integrated micropalaeontological and sedimentological investigations at three reference sections reveal distinct charophyte communities characterized by Chara cf. hispida (Hartman) Wood, 1962, Chara cf. vulgaris Linnaeus, 1753, Nitellopsis obtusa (Desvaux in Loiseleur) Groves, 1919, and Lychnothamnus barbatus (Meyen, 1827) von Leonhardi 1863, not reported until now. These assemblages reflect a mosaic of stable lacustrine, ephemeral swamp, and palustrine environments shaped by increasing climatic oscillations approaching the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition. Comparative data from Mediterranean basins, such as Laguna de Gallocanta, Lake Afourgagh, and Ilgin Palaeolake (Türkiye), highlight the role of charophytes as sensitive indicators of hydrological and climatic variability. This study strengthens the palaeolimnological and palaeoenvironmental significance of charophyte fossils and proposes new avenues for multidisciplinary research into Quaternary environmental evolution in Mediterranean continental basins.

ABSTRACTThe site of Loreto (Venosa Basin, Italy) was first discovered in 1929 and subsequently excavated during the latter half of the 20th century. The excavation revealed three archaeo‐palaeontological levels, with the lowermost level (Level A) yielding the largest number of remains. Despite the site's notable fossil record, which underscores its importance within the framework of the early Middle Pleistocene, extant research on the site's substantial mammalian fauna has hitherto been confined to a modest number of palaeontological descriptions. The present study constitutes the first taphonomic research of the faunal remains recovered from Level A of Loreto. The anatomical and taxonomic diversity is low, with a marked predominance of cervids. However, the sample appears to be biased by the almost complete absence of small fragments and the high proportion of identifiable remains. The influence of water on the osteological assemblage is minimal, thereby ruling out a fluvial origin of the accumulation. Moreover, anthropogenic and carnivore activity is limited, suggesting that these predators did not significantly contribute to the formation of the assemblages as accumulating agents. It is hypothesised that carnivores and hominins acted in independent events on different carcasses, with little or no interaction among them, as part of the foraging and resource acquisition activities developed in the region. The comparison of these data with those presented for the nearby site of Notarchirico facilitates an understanding of hominin behaviour in the Venosa Basin during the early Middle Pleistocene.

The Lower Paleolithic site of Loreto (Venosa Basin, Basilicata, Southern Italy), discovered in 1929 and excavated from 1956 to 1961 and from 1974 to 1981, consists of three main archaeological layers showing evidence of human occupation. The bottom layer (Layer A) is the richest and best-preserved layer, and its lithic industry includes flakes, retouched flakes, cores, and pebble tools mainly made of chert and limestone. This study involves the petrographic and morphometric analysis of about 400 artifacts. A comparison with the geological clasts of Layer B of the archaeological site of Notarchirico (Venosa), as well as geological samples from the outer tectonic units of the Southern Apennines chain available in the SiLiBA lithotheque and analyzed with the same methodological approach, provided not only the identification of the lithotypes and their source formations but also allowed for insights into technological behavior and human–environment interaction.

In contrast to the well-established onset of Northern Hemisphere high-latitude glaciation at ~2.7 Ma, the timing and drivers of the intensified glaciation over High Mountain Asia (HMA) remain elusive, as glacial geologic evidence within this region is inherently fragmentary. Here, we offer a spatiotemporally complete view of glacier behavior over HMA spanning the last 3 Ma using transient climate-glaciation simulations to address this challenge. We illustrate that intensified glaciations with expanded ice caps and widespread valley glaciation began at ~0.9 Ma over the monsoonal-influenced southern HMA confirmed by the glacial sediments, whereas the intensification started earlier (~1.5 Ma) over the westerly-influenced western HMA, with a further intensification at ~1.0–0.9 Ma, supported by paleoenvironmental proxies. The intensification of glaciation masks obvious shifts in the amplitude and pacing of glacier variability (e.g., the establishment of the 100-ka cycle) and induces larger environmental perturbations, which are in line with geologic evidence and largely linked with the long-term global cooling during the mid-Pleistocene transition.

Abstract. Besides the shift in dominant orbital cyclicity depicted in paleoclimate proxy records, the Mid-Pleistocene Transition or Early–Middle Pleistocene Transition (EMPT) was linked to a change in the deep thermohaline circulation. Those changes contributed to more intense and longer-lasting glacial periods and cooler sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during glacials. Within the Atlantic Ocean, the Iberian Margin is considered a key location to study climatic variations influenced by both high- and low-latitude processes. In this study we focus on IODP Site U1387 on the southern Portuguese margin to reconstruct surface water circulation changes and related plankton foraminifera ecosystems during the interval of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 28 to MIS 18 (1006–750 ka). Our planktonic foraminifera assemblages and SST reconstructions (foraminifera assemblages and U37K′ alkenone index) demonstrate warm, relative stable SST conditions during much of the interval due to persistent influence of subtropical gyre waters as indicated by the tropical–subtropical and Azores Current-related foraminifera species and the periods with dominant sinistral coiling direction of the species Globorotalia truncatulinoides. Maximum interglacial SSTs were up to 2 °C warmer than at present in both summer and winter, with the exception of interglacial MIS 23 with SSTs ∼ 1.5 °C colder than in the other interglacials. Subsequent to the respective glacial inception, the relatively warm conditions were periodically interrupted by millennial-scale extreme cold events when polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma became abundant (> 30 %), and the SSTs, reconstructed from the foraminifera assemblage data, dropped below 10 °C in summer and 5 °C in winter, although some of those values might be overestimated. The most pronounced event, considering the amplitude of cooling and duration, occurred between 870 and 864 ka, marking the terminal stadial event of the MIS 22–MIS 21 transition (Termination X). Extreme cold events, always associated with the incursion of subpolar waters into the Gulf of Cadiz, mark all the terminal stadial events from Terminations XII to IX and the millennial-scale variability during the transitions to full glacial conditions, although the duration of the cooling varied greatly. The extreme cooling was only possible through migration of the subarctic front into the lower mid-latitudes as a consequence of cooling and freshening in the higher latitudes and the associated extreme reduction in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The amplitude of cooling, duration, and frequency of subpolar water incursions during MIS 24 to MIS 22 stands out, providing further evidence for the “900 ka event” being a key feature of the EMPT.

Cacti have undergone some of the fastest diversification events in the plant kingdom despite their slow growth rates and extended generation times. This rapid evolution may be driven by intense ecological interactions. Here we tested, for the first time, the evolutionary dynamics of the ecological niches of Gymnocalycium species focusing on two key environmental factors: temperature and precipitation. To explore patterns of niche conservatism and/or evolution and identify major contributing factors, we reconstructed ancestral niches associated with these climatic dimensions using the binned ancestral range coding method. Our findings reveal that (1) the climatic-niches of narrow-ranged Gymnocalycium species are not highly conserved across the phylogeny (i.e., niches are evolving), (2) the evolutionary dynamics of thermal and precipitation niches across the Gymnocalycium phylogeny do not follow similar patterns, (3) a bioregion-specific pattern of niche evolution exists, and (4) the Early-Middle Pleistocene glaciations (i.e., GPG and three Post-GPG phases) potentially drove the patterns of lineage divergence in Gymnocalycium species, triggering the evolution of climatic niches. These results suggest that (i) Gymnocalycium species with fascicular roots may require special attention for conservation, (ii) in a warming climate, the species distributed in the South American transition zone, South Brazilian dominion, and Chacoan dominion may face serious risks, and (iii) the relatively 'more tight-less tight' pattern in conserving the precipitation and temperature niches could be a strategy for conserving the critical variable at the expense of the other. This study has not only provided valid insights into the evolutionary history of Gymnocalycium species but also highlights the importance of conservation efforts, essential to protect these species.

ABSTRACT Xenocyon lycaonoides is a well-represented large canid known from the middle Early Pleistocene to Middle Pleistocene in Europe, central Asia, and Alaska, yet its fossil record in eastern Asia is extremely poor. Here we report a well-preserved palatal part of the skull of this species from Jinyuan Cave of Luotuo Hill, Puwan, Dalian of Liaoning Province, northeastern China. The new material confirms the presence of this species in eastern Asia during the early Middle Pleistocene, supporting a Holarctic distribution of this lineage during the Mid-Pleistocene climate change. The morphology of the new material suggests that the Middle Pleistocene X. lycaonoides is more derived than the late Early Pleistocene population, and is distinct from the living Lycaon pictus, and imply the different evolutionary direction from Lycaon. Our analyses support a generic distinction of the Xenocyon from Lycaon. X. lycaonoides can not be the direct ancestor of Lycaon, but is a related taxon that lived in Eurasia and North America. The lineage includes Xenocyon, and Lycaon Brookes, 1827, and partially contributes to Cynotherium Studiati, 1857, showing two independent Island specialisation events, making it one of the most successful lineages of canids ever known.

The Early Pleistocene fossil site of Schernfeld, a karst fissure filled with an ossiferous breccia, is well known due to the abundant fossil remains, mainly of micromammals and carnivores. Since the discovery, the taxonomic status of the Schernfeld mustelids has caused controversy and, consequently, various authors have listed different species. Until recently, none of these species has been the subject of adequate studies. A detailed revision of the Schernfeld mustelids material was made through comparative morphology based on mustelids from other European Early and early Middle Pleistocene sites. It reveals the presence of five mustelids: Gulo gulo schlosseri, Martes vetus, Meles meles, Mustela palerminea, and Mustela praenivalis. Their remains are characterized by ancestral features, especially in M. vetus, M. palerminea, and M. praenivalis. Due to the morphology of mustelids and the taxonomical composition of the Schernfeld fauna, the biochronological age of the entire assemblage was re-evaluated and assessed for ca. 1.9-1.7 mya.

Chronological and palaeoecological insights into the Dayakou fauna in Yanjinggou, Chongqing, China: Responses of large mammals to the Early-Middle Pleistocene Climate Transition

ABSTRACT We conduct a systematic review of the extinct robust species of Ctenomys from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of central Argentina to assess the systematic status of †Ctenomys latidens. Based on qualitative comparisons and geometric morphometric evidence, †Ctenomys latidens is identified as a well-supported species, clearly distinguishable from †Ctenomys magnus and †Ctenomys kraglievichi. We propose †Ctenomys intermedius Rusconi, 1931a, and †Ctenomys dasseni Rusconi, 1931a as junior synonyms of †C. latidens. Accordingly, †Ctenomys latidens is recorded in the late Ensenadan age (late Early to early Middle Pleistocene) of Buenos Aires Province in central Argentina. Additionally, we suggest upgrading †Ctenomys intermedius tandilensis Rusconi, 1931a, and †Ctenomys latidens orthognathus Rusconi, 1931a to full species status. Finally, we demonstrate that the name †Plateomys scindens cannot be applied to the Early Pliocene Octodontidae currently recognised as †Pseudoplataeomys formosus, as that taxon is a potential junior synonym of †Ctenomys latidens.

Mesotheriidae (Notoungulata) is an extinct clade of herbivorous mammals that was widely distributed in South America from the early Oligocene to the Early–Middle Pleistocene. Within this clade, only Mesotheriinae is recognized as a monophyletic group, encompassing Early Miocene–Pleistocene taxa. The earliest mesotheriine records date back to the Early Miocene and are from Río Negro Province (Argentina), but most complete specimens are from Mendoza Province (Argentina) and northern Chile. During the Middle to Late Miocene, mesotheriines diversified and became abundant across Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. However, their distribution decreased to only Argentina from the Pliocene until their extinction in the Pleistocene. Recent findings from north-western Argentina indicate a more complex history for this lineage, with morphological affinities with Bolivian taxa. Here, we present a new mesotheriine from the Puna of Catamarca Province, which represents the northernmost record in Argentina and the first fossil record from the Potrero Grande Formation (fossil levels dated to ∼18 Ma; Burdigalian, Early Miocene). The specimen MHAS 161 consists of an almost complete palate with P2–M3 and has unique features such as rooted premolars, developed P2, enamel fossettes and a lingual groove in the third lobe of M1–3. After comparative and phylogenetic analyses (descriptive, metrics and morphometric geometrics), we propose that MHAS 161 represents a new taxon (Ichhutherium wayra gen. et sp. nov.) characterized by a combination of ancestral and derived dental and palatal traits, with an estimated body mass of 7.16–15.34 kg. The phylogenetic analysis identifies I. wayra gen. et sp. nov. as the earliest diverging Mesotheriinae, indicating the first radiation of the lineage. This study reopens debates on Mesotheriidae ontogenetic stages and trait development. Future explorations and findings in outcrops of the early Neogene of the Argentine Puna could be crucial for a deeper understanding of South American native ungulates and other vertebrates. https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6DFDFBFE-ABA1-4FB1-9778-FEBF29A1AF8E

According to the “suid gap” hypothesis, suids (Suidae, Mammalia) would have been absent from Europe between 1.8 and 1.2 Ma. This hypothesis has been influential owing to its putative implications for biochronology and paleoecology—Sus scrofa (the modern wild boar) would appear 1.2 Ma in a period of climatic and environmental changes, coinciding with the beginning of the Epivillafranchian and the Early–Middle Pleistocene Transition, and hominins—the arrival of Homo in western Europe would precede the “return” of pigs. However, the “suid gap” hypothesis is based on the wrong premises that suids are abundantly represented in the European fossil record before and after the “suid gap”, that this purported abundance is linked to the suid reproductive potential, and that the paleontological sites dated within the 1.8–1.2 Ma interval yielded enough remains to exclude the notion that the absence of suid is merely accidental. In a recent paper, it is shown that all these assumptions are erroneous and suid material is described from Peyrolles (France), which is dated at 1.47 ± 0.01 Ma, hence perfectly “filling the suid gap”. Some proposers of the “suid gap” hypothesis have now provided comments to this recent paper, casting doubt on the age of Peyrolles and reiterating the arbitrary statement that suids were commonly recorded and abundantly represented in the Pleistocene of Europe. There is no valid reason to question the homogeneity of the faunal assemblage of Peyrolles, which is indeed a key locality for the mammal biochronology of Europe, being the reference for MNQ 19. Suids of comparable chronology have also been found in Krimni (Greece). Moreover, the “suid gap” proposers are basically advocating the use of an interval biozone based on the temporary absence of Sus strozzii—a species not common in the Pleistocene of Europe—providing no ecological explanation for this gap, apart from speculating it would be due to competition with Homo. The defense of the “suid gap” seems motivated by its use from the “suid gap” proposers as a biochronological argument to contend that the localities of Orce in Spain (Barranco León D, Fuente Nueva 3, and Venta Micena) are older than 1.2 Ma, when they postulated suids would “reappear” in the fossil record. However, since the “suid gap” hypothesis was primarily proposed based on the absence of suids from the Orce sites (and, secondarily, from other sites biochronologically correlated with the localities of Orce, like Pirro Nord in Italy), this represents an evident example of circular reasoning.

This study aims to determine the provenance of Pleistocene to recent alluvial sediments in the area of NW Bilogora. The research area includes Pannonian inselbergs of northern Croatia with a major focus on Bilogora Mountain. Framework composition and heavy mineral assemblages of sand samples, together with micropetrographical characteristics and whole-rock geochemistry of volcanic and volcaniclastic pebbles and rocks are used to explore sources of Lower-Middle Pleistocene deposits of the oldest Drava River terrace, along with local stream and river sediments. The development of this area is closely linked to local and regional tectonic processes, as well as the formation of the Drava-Mura River system which has supplied detrital material from the Eastern Alps, at least since Miocene times. The composition of Pleistocene sands points to extensive recycling from local Neogene sedimentary units, a process which is still ongoing today. Silicic pebbles correlate well with the widespread Permian-Triassic igneous activity in the Austroalpine units and Tisia, though the pebbles are likely recycled from Miocene conglomerates. Findings of mafic volcanic lithoclasts indicate the possibility of erosion of the pre-Neogene basement of mountains Kalnik and Ivanščica as well. During the Early-Middle Pleistocene, the Drava River basin of today’s northern Bilogora area received material from the Alps, along with local supply from units exposed on uplifting local inselbergs. Intermittent changes in sediment supply dynamics could have been affected by climatic changes and local uplift tectonics, coupled with hydrological dynamics in the Drava River during the Pleistocene.

Abstract. During the last 5 million years (Pliocene–Holocene), the Earth climate system has undergone a series of marked changes, including (i) the shift from the Pliocene warm state to the Pleistocene cold state with the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation; (ii) the evolution of the frequency, magnitude, and shape of glacial–interglacial cycles at the Early Middle Pleistocene Transition (∼ 1.25–0.65 Ma); and (iii) the appearance of millennial-scale climate variability. While much of this paleoclimate narrative has been reconstructed from marine records, relatively little is known about the impact of these major changes on terrestrial environments and biodiversity, resulting in a significant gap in the knowledge of a fundamental component of the Earth system. Long, continuous, highly resolved, and chronologically well-constrained terrestrial records are needed to fill this gap, but they are extremely rare. To evaluate the potential of the Fucino Basin, central Italy, for a deep-drilling project in the framework of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), 42 scientists from 14 countries and 32 institutions met in Gioia dei Marsi, central Italy, on 24–27 October 2023 for the ICDP-supported MEME (the longest continuous terrestrial archive in the MEditerranean recording the last 5 Million years of Earth system history) workshop. The existing information and unpublished data presented and reviewed during the workshop confirmed that the Fucino Basin fulfils all the main requisites for improving our understanding of the mode and tempo of the Plio-Quaternary climatic–environmental evolution in a terrestrial setting at different spatial and temporal scales. Specifically, the combination of the seismic line evidence with geochronological and multi-proxy data for multiple sediment cores consolidated the notion that the Fucino Basin infill (i) is constituted by a sedimentary lacustrine succession continuously spanning at least 3.5 Myr; (ii) has a high sensitivity as a paleo-environmental–paleoclimatic proxy; and (iii) contains a rich tephra record that allows us to obtain an independent, high-resolution timescale based on tephrochronology. Considering the typical half-graben, wedge-shaped geometry of the basin, four different potential drilling targets were identified: MEME-1, located in the middle of the basin, should reach the base of the Quaternary infill at ∼ 500 m depth; MEME-2, located west of MEME-1, has sedimentation rates that are lower, with the base of the Pliocene–Quaternary at ∼ 600 m depth; MEME-3b has the same target as MEME-2 but is located further west, where the base of the Pliocene–Quaternary should be reached at ∼ 300 m; and MEME-3a (∼ 200–300 m depth) is located, for tectonic purposes, on the footwall of the basin master fault. Overall, the MEME workshop sets the basis for widening the research team and defining the scientific perspectives and methodological approaches of the project, from geophysical exploration to the development of an independent chronology and to the acquisition of multi-proxy records, which will contribute to the preparation of the full MEME proposal.