The 2009 campaign also involved open area excavation and survey.

The excavations concentrated on sector 2, continuing the investigation of the occupation levels exposed during the 2008 campaign and extending the area towards the east, opening a further 24 m2 (sector 2.1). This extension was specifically aimed towards a re-examination of the overall sequence in the light of the data gained from the excavation of sector 2 and a decision regarding future operations. Given the complex stratigraphy, excavation was very slow and also in this case it was not possible to examine the levels relating to the first settlement apart from in a very limited sector. Here, a deep pit was excavated containing a dump of sizable fragments from several large dolia. Continuation of the excavation in sector 2 defined the sequence details of the various pyrotechnical structures identified – more specifically it was seen that although not precisely contemporary, many were active in the same phase – and identified a new and complex structure which for the moment is interpreted as a small kiln.

As regards sector 2.1 only the surface of the Final Bronze Age cultivated levels were uncovered. The survey, divided into three non-adjacent areas situated both east and west of the area investigated in 2007 and 2008, covered an overall area of circa 8.000 m2. However, the usual checks were undertaken in bordering areas with the aim of organising future interventions. The 2009 survey material from within the settlement area did not seem to include elements pre-dating the transitional phase from the middle Bronze 3/Recent Bronze Age and after the early Final Bronze Age. This fact was further confirmation of the proposed dating range for the site’s occupation hypothesised on the basis of the 2007 East-West section. However, it should be noted that among some material found outside of the settlement area, just to the south of the defensive embankment, there were elements dating to the full middle Bronze Age. This, in line with what has already been observed by the “Progetto Alto-Medio Polesine/Basso Veronese” survey, is of great importance. In fact, it demonstrates that the area was also inhabited in a period preceding the foundation of the defended settlement, although it is not known in what form.

The survey’s most important result was the recovery of another six fragments of Aegean-Mycenean plain ware pottery. Thanks to this find the Fondo Paviani farm has produced the largest sample of Mycenean pottery in the Paduan plain. However, the find of a bronze torques, parallel to those of the north-eastern Canegrate facies, was also of particular importance.