between the 5th – 30th October 2009.

The excavation examined the entire rectory complex, identified during a cleaning campaign in October 2008, which comprised a series of structures of differing plan and size. The complex is situated on a large plateau immediately north-west of the ‘fosso della canonica’ which runs down from the summit of the Montieri hill. The cleaning operation revealed the tops of the walls and scatters of stone across the entire site. In order to gain an understanding of the ecclesiastical settlement’s development it was decided to use a mechanical digger to remove the deep layer of collapsed material obliterating the walls and then continue with a manual stratigraphic excavation in chosen areas.

The excavation uncovered a number of buildings belonging to the monastic complex including the church and cloister structures, and a large room situated in the western area of the plateau which was probably used for craft-working activities. Cleaning was begun of the entrance to a mine situated close to the ecclesiastical site.

Investigations are still in the initial stages and the complex development of the monastic settlement has still to be fully understood. However, it was seen that the entire complex had very rich architectural decorations such as decorated bricks (very similar to those preserved in the arches of the Le Fonderie building) and limestone and travertine elements such as arches, door jambs, quoins and brackets. This evidence attests the substantial investment that the bishop of Volterra had made in the foundation of this complex, on a site that was crucial for the overseeing of the important and profitable silver mines which must have provided precious metal for the nearby Episcopal mint situated in the borgo of Montieri in the Le Fonderie building.

The church was situated in the easternmost area of the complex. It had a single nave and a hexagonal apse with a central plan and three apertures. There was evidence of rich architectural decoration such as arches built of decorated bricks and large quantities of travertine and limestone architectural elements found within the excavated layers of collapse. The particular plan, unique for this territory, and the high quality of the structures, again highlight the employment of specialist artisans by the bishopric of Volterra. The complex, as well as controlling the production process (the presence of the mine entrance close to the ecclesiastical settlement is significant) also had the function of displaying the wealth and power of the bishopric of Volterra to the workers, mostly miners and foundrymen passing in front of the church before entering the mine, and also to the general population of Montieri.