Between June 2007 and February 2008 excavations were undertaken on three lots of the building known as “Le Fonderie” in via delle Fonderie at Pontieri (GR). The archaeological investigation was directed by Bianca Maria Aranguren, an inspector with the Archaeological Superintendency of Tuscany and undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and History of Art at Siena University, in particular with the research group led by Prof. Giovanna Bianchi. Support also came from the Comunità Montana delle Colline Metallifere.

In June 2007, on occasion of the work to restructure piazza Papocchi, the local administration asked the Superintendency to undertake the excavation of the two lots in via delle Fonderie. Subsequently, in January 2008, further investigations carried out inside another residential lot, were concluded thanks to the help of the owner, whom we thank.

The excavation began as a rescue excavation and is part of a project studying the archaeological evidence within the municipal territory and the historic centre of Montieri. This is being undertaken by the Archaeology Department, directed by Giovanna Bianchi, in collaboration with the local administration. In fact, in 2007 a historical and archaeological study began of the municipal territory in relation to the exploitation of mineral resources and the control of the production coinable metal. The aim is to valorise the heritage which emerges and make it usable within the larger sphere of the Archaeological-Technological Park of the Colline Metallifere of Grosseto. The study will take on a concrete form through the analysis of the standing structures and the stratigraphy of buildings preserved within the historic centre, such as the “Fonderie”, excavations of the fortified structures and churches situated within the territory, and the mapping of mining areas.

The work, which began with the excavation of the building known as the “Fonderie” and a detailed analysis of the historical sources relating to the municipal area, will continue from 2009 onwards with a series of planned interventions over a period of five years. These will include a complete study of the standing structures in the historic centre and a census of all the evidence relating to metallurgy; archaeological investigation of two church sites, the rectory of S. Niccolò and the parish church of S. Paolo and of a productive structure situated on the river Merse.