In the municipality of Brancaleone surveys undertaken in autumn 2009 and 2010 (to complete the three “strips” surveyed over the last three years) led to the identification and preliminary study of the remains of several ancient settlements. In particular the network of scattered houses datable from the archaic-classical to the middle Hellenistci period, on the surface only appeared to have been partially replaced by the introduction of a few villae. The latter were the result of changes in settlement patterns occurring in the zone with the advent of Romanisation at the end of the Hannibalic War. Widespread occupation in the area during the early Byzantine period was attested by “temporary” settlements. It was only later that these settlements were flanked by the birth (following the Arab conquest of Sicily?) of high defended settlements such as Brancaleone Vecchio which controlled the lake approach to Pantano Piccolo below.

Along the right bank of the Bruzzano, where a number of Greek sites (archaic-classical and early Hellenistic) were identified, the continuation of investigations along the plateau in the locality of Serro Rocchette completed the planning of the emerging remains of the pisè perimeter walls. This included the northern sector leading to the mouth of the Bruzzano characterised by what was probably a walkway protected by two parallel walls.

The removal of the humus in 2009 in a small trench on the summit, beside a rock outcrop at the centre of the plateau, revealed the usual compacted clay surface seen elsewhere at the base of the summit’s perimeter walls. It was also seen that the latter had been constructed through the ad hoc cutting of the outcrop.

Lastly, the identification of a stretch of the western curtain wall suggested that on the western side the site, fortified in the early Hellenistic period, was built on the remains of a sizable stone quarry dating to an earlier period.