This was the fourth campaign on the Scogli di Apani within the Nature and Marine reserve of Torre Guaceto. Work took place in trench B (investigated in 2008, 2009 and 2011) over an area of about 90 m2 where the remains of part of a hut (Hut 2) were uncovered relating to the Middle Bronze Age (first half of the 2nd millennium B.C.) village present on the site.

The 2013 excavation continued the exploration of area SAS B (quadrants B6, B9, B23 and B24) where in 2011 a sondage (c. 12 m2) produced clear evidence for the potential of this type of investigation. Indeed, the remains of a structure (Hut 3) were found immediately below Hut 2, identified by the presence of collapsed walls (daub and several baked clay structural elements), masonry-built footings and a large number of artefacts (including an intact impasto cup, a large flint core, several fragments of a large pottery storage vessel, and a number of bone spatulas).

The trench was extended to include quadrants B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B18, B19, B21, B23 and B24, covering an overall area of c. 40 m2. The removal of the Hut 2 floor levels immediately revealed the deep layers of collapse characterized by the presence of daub showing heavy fire damage and numerous layers of burning (UUSS 195, 196, 213, 214) containing abundant pottery. Sizable portions of large impasto storage vessels (jars, vases, and dolia) were recovered from sectors B8, B9, B23 and B24. In most cases, the fragments of these containers were in primary deposition on the beaten clay floor, broken in situ when the structure collapsed on top of them. A number of small, almost intact containers were recovered including two pyxes with lids, a ladle/pourer, and two hourglass-shaped supports.

A large accumulation of impasto storage vessels was also identified in quadrant B3 where, below a conspicuous pile of daub fragments, an impasto cooking dish was found (US 214.1). About 35-40 cm in diameter, it had four small protruding handles placed opposite each other around the rim. The surface was decorated with a cruciform motif of lightly impressed lines.

Numerous artefacts of smoothed stone (including a possible “archer’s bracelet”, US 213.3), flaked stone, and bone (particularly spatulas and punches) were found. Finds made from hard animal material were also present such as a spatula made from a boar’s tusk US 195.59. A large assemblage of anthracological, carpological, and faunal remains was collected, which included numerous remains of fava beans, and a large accumulation of deer and boar bones in quadrant B23 showing the effects of contact with heat (US 195). Land and marine molluscs were also recovered.

At this point in the excavation, the few postholes identified to date and the short section of masonry footing present in quadrant B6 do not provide enough evidence for a concrete hypothesis regarding the plan of this structure (or structures). Among the pottery associated with Hut 3, the diagnostic fragments identified during the excavation seem to date to a horizon that is only slightly earlier than that of Hut 2 and therefore associated with cultural elements that are more markedly Proto-Apennine.