The excavation began on the 20th September 2009. In the initial phase activity mainly consisted in the extension of the work area (circa 4 m2) with the removal of detritus and of the soil covering the fossil-bearing layers.

The extension of the excavation area became necessary because the limestone layers investigated in previous years resulted as being heavily disturbed by tectonics and the intrusion of tree roots. Furthermore, a basal compact level, extremely hard and without any important fossils, was reached in many points.

Following the partial removal of the covering layers and the circumventing of the compact level reached during previous campaigns, work was undertaken on layers that were still rather disturbed by tectonics and showed numerous fractures cemented by calcite (layers D3, E1 and E2; Fig. 1). In this zone, the partial remains of only two fossil fish were found in layer E1. The disturbed layers terminated with a compact lithosome that was hard to work and not likely to contain fossils.

Therefore, a zone beyond the compact lithosome was investigated, where the fissile and fossiliferous laminites reappeared. In this zone, excavation continued on an area of about one square metre until mid-December. It was also seen that laterally the solid lithosome seemed to become laminated and fissile.

At present it is not possible to correlate the new laminate layers with the stratigraphic section excavated in previous years. Thus it was provisionally given separate numbering and initials (S).

At the end of 2009 the total number of finds was 1175.
The first part of the excavation produced five fossils (see attached list). These were the fragmentary remains of bony fish (Osteichthyes): two examples of the extinct genus Rhynchodercetis, a possible Beryciformes, a fragmentary teleost and a coprolite (fossil excrement), all from layer E1.

In the second part of the excavation (new laminates) the remains of five bony fish were found, including a Rhynchodercetis and a small, almost complete teleost (Cypriniform ?). Furthermore, a terrestrial plant was discovered (a leaf perhaps belonging to a dycotiledon).

All the finds are temporarily housed in three containers in the palaeontological collections at the Gruppo Speleologico A.d.F.-Museo della Rocca, via Valentinis 134, a Monfalcone (Gorizia).