In July 2009 the second excavation campaign was undertaken on the Scogli di Apani within the Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto. The excavations were undertaken at the same time as Trench B/2008: this sector (quadrato G10) was extended to cover an overall area of 90 m2 with the aim of obtaining a completer reading of the plan, structures and function of the so-called Hut 2. Once the trench had been laid out and the 2008 excavations uncovered, the surface layer and humus below were removed.

The excavation of the underlying archaeological levels provided a check on the stratigraphy identified during the 2008 investigations and immediately brought to light several post holes and a moderate amount of pottery, probably relating to the occupation and collapse of Hut 2. These deposits were particularly evident along the north (sectors B11, B12 and B16) and east (sectors B21, B23 and B24) of the excavation area where specific pottery closed and open forms, also partially reconstructable, were identified. Numerous fragments of plaster from the hut were often situated in correspondence with the edges of accumulations of stone which may represent what remained of possible masonry footings.

As regards the deposits, the evidence collected along the east and west sides of the new excavation showed continuity with what had been uncovered in 2008. In the western strip the excavation of numerous medium to large closed pottery containers was completed, which probably formed a small storage area inside the hut. Other sporadic material relating to small to medium sized open forms (cups, bowls and ladles) was also recovered. In sectors B17 and B18 a hearth slab was almost completely excavated. This comprised a clay slab, of sub-circular shape (circa 60 × 80 cm) surrounded by a raised clay cordon decorated with deep transversal impressions, overlying a layer of pottery fragments. Although such structures are rather common in regional prehistoric contexts the particular decoration suggests that this is unique. Further, the slab itself (another example was found and partially excavated in 2009, sectors B13-B14, and two were identified in 2008, sectors B1-B4) was partially covered by a number of large plaster fragments and surrounded by large quantities of carbonised acorns (perhaps stored in containers of vegetal material such as baskets or sacks). This may suggest the intensive use of this spontaneous “fruit” in the diet of the period and, more specifically that this slab (and perhaps what surrounded it) was used for processing this food stuff.

Among the stone artefacts found were a number of small cobbles showing clear traces of wear (these may be interpreted as small strikers and/or burnishers) and several flint flakes and implements. Several small bone punches were also found, often in association with localised accumulations of marine mollusc shells (especially murex, mussels and limpets) suggesting their use in the opening and consumption of shellfish. A preliminary morphological and typological analysis of the pottery from the 2008 campaign (Hut 2) and an initial examination of the finds from this campaign show a persistence in the vase repertory of some characteristics clearly relating to the Apulian proto-Apennine facies.