  The arrival of Modern Humans (MHs) in Europe between 50 ka and 36 ka
coincides with significant changes in human behaviour, regarding the production
of tools, the exploitation of resources and the systematic use of ornaments and
colouring substances. The emergence of the so-called modern behaviours is
usually associated with MHs, although in these last decades findings relating
to symbolic thinking of pre-Sapiens groups have been claimed. In this paper we
present a synthesis of the Italian evidence concerning bone manufacturing and
the use of ornaments and pigments in the time span encompassing the demise of
Neandertals and their replacement by MHs. Current data show that Mousterian
bone tools are mostly obtained from bone fragments used as is. Conversely an
organized production of fine shaped bone tools is characteristic of the
Uluzzian and the Protoaurignacian, when the complexity inherent in the
manufacturing processes suggests that bone artefacts are not to be considered
as expedient resources. Some traces of symbolic activities are associated to
Neandertals in Northern Italy. Ornaments (mostly tusk shells) and pigments used
for decorative purposes are well recorded during the Uluzzian. Their features
and distribution witness to an intriguing cultural homogeneity within this
technocomplex. The Protoaurignacian is characterized by a wider archaeological
evidence, consisting of personal ornaments (mostly pierced gastropods),
pigments and artistic items.
