Excavations recommenced in two sectors of area VI: 1) the zone of the “cobbled paving” UUSS 375 and 413 and of wall Us 400 (called NW sector); 2) the zone of the ditch US 393 and the channel US 402 (called SE sector).

The NW sector

An in depth exploration of part of the area showed that US 375 constituted the uppermost level of the fill of a sub-rectangular cavity (US 420) cut into the natural, whose limits have only partly been identified. This fill was formed by the repeated dumping/setting of large quantities of pottery materials, cobbles and animal bones alternating with a matrix rich in organic components. The lowest levels were characterised by the presence of large fragments of pottery, sometimes belonging to partially reconstructable vases. Of note, a very good example of an impasto pyxis lid, with incised and cut decoration, dating, as perhaps much of the material from the fill, to the full 7th century B.C.

Excavation of the foundation of wall US 400, on a N-S alignment and parallel to ditch US 420, but having no direct straigraphical link with it, showed that the foundation was constituted by a narrow trench, filled with cobbles, below which a pre-existing post-hole emerged. Moreover, it was suggested that US 400 possibly related to an analogous alignment of small cobbles, US 421, which filled a narrow cut made in US 409. The US 400 and 421 may constitute the remains of a structure that post dated ditch US 420.

Excavation continued of the second “cobbled surface”, US 413. This formed a strip on an east-west alignment, constituted by a dense concentration of pottery fragments of various sizes and cobbles, mainly small, arranged on the level to form a sort of compact platform. The edges appeared to be regular, although not straight as they had been disturbed by robbing presumably relating to Roman agricultural activities. The removal of the first level, characterised by a greater density of pottery, produced fragments of biconical impasto vases and artefacts destined for domestic use (loom weights, reels, jars etc.), datable to within the 7th century B.C.

The continuation of the excavation of fill (US 406) in the ditch adjacent to US 409, containing numerous dumps of baked clay fragments and pottery fragments, showed that it was cut by four large post holes linked by a channel. The latter joined at a right angle a further four post holes, much smaller in size, on a north-east/south-west alignment. The materials associated with the post holes date to the first half of the 6th century B.C.

The SE sector

In this zone excavation was completed of the large ditch known as “structure 1” (now US 393), situated several metres south of the “cobbled zone” (structure 2).

The southern half of the thick fill of the ditch was completely removed. The fill was very rich in charcoal remains, bone, fragments of baked clay and pottery. At its base numerous large fragments of pottery (cup, trumpet-shaped foot, jars) and a ring made of a strip of bronze lamina came to light, partially embedded in the clay layer below (US 416). The US 416 was gradually filled with dumps of burnt and over-fired material which may be associated with pottery production. The cut of ditch US 393 may be linked to the quarrying of the natural clay. Experiments have shown this clay, containing silt and a small percentage of sand, to be particularly adapt for pottery making.

A preliminary examination of the abundant material from the ditch confirmed the dating to the late Iron Age (first half of the 6th century B.C.).