In September-October 2012, investigations continued in the area in front of the group of limekilns situated west of the Risecco torrent (Area 1000). Excavations had been carried out in this area in 2008-2010, at the same time as the investigation of the furnaces (Area 2000). This year’s excavations substantially enlarged the area under examination, extending it to the north (Trench 1) and south (Trench 3), by 40.30 (E-W) x 5 (N-S) m overall.

TRENCH 1

Trench 1, at the far NE end of the excavation area, was dug in order to widen the investigation of the working area relating to furnace 1, in correspondence with the earlier structures found during the 2010 campaign. However, the layers excavated to date relate to a phase that is later than the 16th century phase of activity, and even the last layers, still in place, overlay these phases.
Below the late phase of dumped quarry material the stratigraphy relating to the furnace use emerged, attested by the nature of the layers and their components, that is baked stones, fragments of burnt and vitrified brick/tile, and layers of charcoal and ash.

TRENCH 2

Trench 2, covering an area of circa 60 m2 in front of furnaces 2 and 3, was in a zone that had been investigated in 2010.
Important evidence was found here relating to a phase of use in this area that was otherwise undocumented. In fact, the foundations of the praefurnium of furnace 3 cut the remains of a small casting structure. This was made up of a circular chamber built of two concentric structures of tiles placed on their edges forming an interspace, and by a small praefurnium of flaring shape.
The pottery recovered from the collapse and obliteration layers of the small structure indicate that it was abandoned and destroyed between the 14th and first half of the 15th centuries. To date it represents the only evidence of activities pre-dating that of the full 15th century, but later than the 14th century horizon already identified in 2010.

TRENCH 3

Trench 3, at the southern end of area 1000, represented a substantial extension to the investigation of this zone.
The most significant data from this season’s investigations was the identification, although partial, of a large structure built of perishable materials, in use at the same time as the 15th-16th century furnaces. It was attested by numerous postholes defining a perimeter inside which were heavily altered layers, bright red in colour, alternating with beaten surfaces with a large organic component. The structure was built at the edge of the plateau, which constituted the working area of the furnaces; the natural slope had been eliminated by the creation of a loose foundation, parts of which were visible below the postholes.