This was the sixth excavation campaign at Rontana castle undertaken by the Archaeology Department of Bologna University and the Archaeological Superintendency of Emilia Romagna. Previous excavations were concentrated in four main areas situated on the summit area (sector 1000), later identified as the Rocca, and in other zones on the plateau to the north (sectors 2000 and 3000), and south of the fortifications (sector 5000).

To further understanding of the settlement’s distribution and extension on the summit area, the trenches were enlarged with two new sectors at opposite ends of the Renaissance courtyard (sectors 7000-8000). The excavation of the stratigraphy associated with the first occupation phases of the castle was completed, on the west and east sides.

The main aim was the reconstruction of the castle’s plan. The entire rise on which the modern cross stands is made up of accumulations of building rubble that had collapsed following the castle’s destruction and subsequent abandonment after its conquest by the Papal army in 1591.

It was also seen that the brick-built ogival tower rested on/abutted an earlier wall of chalk blocks, on which at least two building phases were visible, as in the other sectors excavated between 2009 and 2011.

North of the summit area, at about 6 m below the courtyard surface, the opening of sector 2000 revealed a wall of chalk blocks enclosing what may be interpreted as a redoubt built in front of the Rocca. Various artisan activities were concentrated in this zone, excavated between 2009-2011. A forge for ironworking and associated rock-cut channel were found north of this area. To the east was a semi-oval oven, its form suggesting it was used for baking bread, abandoned in the final quarter of the 14th century. The remains of another oven and a ditch relating to the first defensive system emerged to the south-west of the sector.

On the north-eastern side of the site, a number of sections of stone wall were identified. These formed the furthest edge of the settlement.

During the 2011 season, east of the summit area, on the plateau below the hill’s peak, numerous traces of houses were uncovered. It is likely that this was an exclusively residential area, whose existence was previously unknown. Its discovery considerably enlarged the overall area of the castle’s plan. Stone walls also appeared at several points on the external edges of the plateau, perhaps defences, although the absence of these structures on the opposite side makes it difficult to establish, for the moment, whether these were dwellings without an enclosure wall, but rather a borgo abutting the main nucleus of the fortified village.