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Excavation

  • Gorgo del Ciliegio
  • Poggio di Miolo
  •  
  • Italy
  • Tuscany
  • Arezzo
  • Sansepolcro

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Credits

  • The Italian Database is the result of a collaboration between:

    MIBAC (Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali - Direzione Generale per i Beni Archeologici),

    ICCD (Istituto Centrale per il Catalogo e la Documentazione) and

    AIAC (Associazione Internazionale di Archeologia Classica).

  • AIAC_logo logo

Summary (English)

  • A surface area of 29 m2 was investigated, relating to quadrants H 9-10, I 5-14, L 5-15, M 7-12 e 14, all (except I 5 and M 12) opened for the first time.
    As regards the stratigraphic sequence no substantial variations with respect to past interventions were noted. The occupation level varied between 35 and 57 cm in thickness, maintaining the usual slope in a north-east/south-west direction. The height on the upper surface ranged between -63 and -101, the heights at the base between -115 and -131. There was a visible distinction within the layer between the lower part of the deposit, characterised by the presence of the “paleo-surface”, corresponding with the period of the site’s occupation, and the upper part, relating to the moment immediately after the abandonment of the settlement.

    The stratigraphic investigation concentrated in particular on the area occupied by quadrants I-M/5-15, where a further section of the occupation surface was uncovered. This provided new data regarding the edge of the hut and the external space adjacent to it.
    In this area, the edge of the structure (situated in quadrants I-N/ 5-6) appeared to still be partly constituted by the channel already identified in 2007 which, having run along the east side of the hut bent towards the west and petered out in quadrant M6, and in part by an alignment of medium sized stones (as a continuation of the channel).
    Inside the channel were two small post holes for props, similar to another small pit on an oblique line, situated in the zone occupied by the line of stones. The fill in the holes was made up of charcoal rich soil or refined yellow clay. Residues of this clay, forming actual cordons, all on a north-west/south-east alignment, were present next to the channel and the line of stones. Lastly, the channel was bordered by numerous stones of various sizes.

    In quadrant N6 the start of a new channel was identified (n. 2) which joined the other (n. 1) at a right angle, and appeared to head towards the north. Between the two channels there was a concentration of large stones, some of which in an upright position as if to form a sort of “dam”.

    One of the most interesting results related to the occupation level outside the dwelling (quadrants I-L 9-15). Here, next to the hut was another structure used for combustion, formed by a large flat kerb-shaped stone (50 × 70 cm). This too was probably an area used for cooking food, as finds all around it of burnt legumes and cereals would seem to confirm. Furthermore, the entire surface area investigated presented an abundance of carbonised remains, in some cases burnt twigs and brush.

    Another element was also recovered together with the burnt wood, perhaps an artefact, of which almost only the impression was preserved. Its form was similar to that of a small shovel with a handle that had a central rib.
    Once the burnt wood was removed the loose foundation, characteristic of the dwelling’s external space, was revealed across the entire area outside the hut (M-I/15-13). This was constituted by well compacted stones, pottery and bone fragments and linked to the analogous surface discovered in quadrants O-M/13 during the 2007 excavation.

    To be noted amongst the materials found a fragment of carenated bowl with a lug-handle attached directly to the rim and a “omphalos” base, and a few fragments of worked stone, all flint flakes that were not retouched.

    As regards the interpretation of the settlement’s plan and function, the results of the 2008 campaign widely confirm the hypotheses proposed following the past excavations. In particular, the different treatment reserved for the interior floor surface on the one hand and that of the external space on the other. To form the latter the entire area surrounding the dwelling was reclaimed through a disorderly amassing of gravel, stones, pottery fragments and the remains of food to form a loose foundation that provided drainage.

    Participants in the campaign were the members of the Gruppo Archeologico di Sansepolcro, pupils of the Liceo Artistico di Sansepolcro and students, graduates and post-graduates from the Universities of Siena, Naples and Florence.

  • Adriana Moroni - Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente – Unità di Ricerca di Preistoria e Antropologia – Università di Siena 
  • Simona Arrighi 

Director

  • Adriana Moroni Lanfredini - Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali “G. Sarfatti” – Unità di Ricerca di Ecologia Preistorica – Università di Siena
  • Simona Arrighi - Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali “G. Sarfatti” – Unità di Ricerca di Ecologia Preistorica – Università di Siena

Team

  • Stefano Ricci - Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente – Unità di Ricerca di Preistoria e Antropologia – Università di Siena
  • Claudio Milanesi - Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente – Unità di Ricerca di Preistoria e Antropologia – Università di Siena
  • Massimo Nepi - Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente – Unità di Ricerca di Preistoria e Antropologia – Università di Siena
  • Jacopo Crezzini - Università degli Studi di Siena, Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali “G. Sarfatti”
  • Marco Benvenuti - Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra – Università di Firenze
  • Marta Mariotti - Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale – Università degli Studi di Firenze

Research Body

  • Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali “G. Sarfatti” – Unità di Ricerca di Ecologia Preistorica – Università di Siena

Funding Body

  • Aboca S.p.A.
  • Centro Studi sul Quaternario onlus di Sansepolcro
  • Comune di Sansepolcro
  • Comunità Montana Valtiberina Toscana
  • Gruppo Archeologico di Sansepolcro
  • Provincia di Arezzo
  • Università degli Studi di Siena

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