On the basis of the archaeological documentation produced by excavations undertaken between 2007 and 2009 a new interpretation of the entire residential complex of the large villa of Ossaia, in particular the late Republican phase, has been formulated.

The eastern sector of the villa relating to the phase I occupation, characterised by living rooms and reception rooms, and now with an ample peristyle (rather than a simple portico opening onto the space to the east of the cenatio, as formerly suggested) communicating in turn with a second level of the complex. The 2009 campaign uncovered large part of the peristyle’s south portico, at a right angle to the portico with a mosaic of elegant marble crustae that had been uncovered previously. Close to the eastern edge of the excavation an ample section of wall decoration came to light characterised by a vivid red dado, above which was a black band with thin white over-painted lines forming quadrangular panels. This type of composition can be attributed to the so-called III Pompeian style of the Mau classification.
The porticoed area and the walled structures formed a large layout with monumental characteristics for which there are no parallels in the lower eastern Valdichiana, and the whole of north-eastern Etruria in general. The 2009 campaign uncovered the south-eastern corner of the socle, constructed with rectangular limestone blocks, as well as two columns in situ (diam. circa 85 cm) built of brick covered with red and white stucco. The base of one of the columns, with an elaborate moulding, was preserved intact. A large number of stucco volute fragments from the capitals were recovered, suggesting that the peristyle columns were Ionic.

The interventions in this part of the complex, dating to the mid imperial phase (2nd century A.D.), seen at substantially higher levels, foresaw the reconstruction of the south wall and the obliteration of the stairwell, which had already gone out of use at the end of the 1st century A.D.
Furthermore, in this phase a number of systems for the drainage of surface water, present throughout the residential area in the first phase, also went out of use.
The absence of collapsed material would seem to suggest the systematic recovery and reuse of the building materials in a period compatible with the reoccupation of the villa’s eastern part in the 2nd century A.D.