In the proto-house of Grand Duke Michael trenches were dug in shop VI,5,6 and in the long stretch of pavement in front of the domus. The excavation of the shop established that it was contemporary with the first structure of the house, facing onto a road with a simple beaten earth surface which showed clear signs of cart wheel ruts. Below the 3rd century B.C. level a piece of wall, associated with archaic material, attests the area’s occupation in that period, although it was not possible to establish in what form. Excavation of the pavement revealed a series of beaten road surfaces contemporary with the house and its various building phases. These were finally substituted by a basalt road surface in the late 1st century B.C. (Dora D’Auria)