New excavations at the Pliocene fossil primate locality of Grăunceanu, Romania

The Romanian site of Graunceanu is a rich Pliocene locale in Eastern Europe but comprehensive excavations have not been undertaken there in forty years. Currently, Graunceanu is tenuously correlated with a variety of European sites, depending on which taxon one uses for comparison. It has the potential to be a very important biochronological reference locality due to its unique faunal assemblage and geo-temporal position. However, the biochronological and paleoecological importance of this site has never been realized due to the lack of accurate dating. The discovery of putative stone tools at an associated outcrop raises the possibility that hominins known to have occupied Dmanisi may have also occupied this site as well.

This research could expand our knowledge of European biochronology while assessing the feasibility of obtaining paleomagnetic or radiometric dates. It will also enhance collaboration with Romanian scientists.