In July 2007 investigations (begun in 2003) continued in contrada L’Amastuola in the territory of Crispiano (TA). This research, which continues that undertaken by Dr. Grazia Angela Mareggi of the Archaeological Superintendency of Apulia, began with a series of questions regarding the initial phase of Taranto’s expansion and the relationship between Greeks and the indigenous population, and the phases of expansion, decline and abandonment of the site of L’Amastuola. In 2007 an analysis of aerial photographs began, in collaboration with Sydney University, which aimed to check the results of the surface surveys undertaken in previous years. The following trenches were excavated on the southern part of the plateau, behind the Masseria L’Amastuola:

1. In 2004 the remains of a small structure (denominated house δ) were exposed in trench 1. The covered space of this structure measured only circa 8 m2, making it much smaller than the oikoi β and γ excavated by Dr. Maruggi. In 2005 this trench was enlarged and another house, denominated “ε”, at a right angle to house δ, was excavated. These two structures were separated by a very narrow lane. In 2005 most of house ε was excavated. During the 2007 campaign the beaten surfaces inside “ε” were investigated. Furthermore, a trial trench was put in to investigate the layers below the paved vestibulum and thus define the dating for the house. The trial trench confirmed the 6th century B.C. date suggested by preceding investigations when a cup with banded decoration also datable to the 6th century B.C. was found on the southern part of the beaten surface.

2. In 2003 and 2004 a large space (circa 5 × 8 m) was excavated. This was probably a courtyard closed on three sides. Work continued in this trench in 2005 and finished in 2007. A potter’s workshop with a series of kilns was brought to light. The stratigraphic analysis identified three successive phases….seems to be something missing here

3. During excavations in 2007 trench 5 was extended towards the south. This exposed both the south wall of the room and another wall on a different alignment, that is north-west/south-east, which joined the south wall.

4. In preceding years, in the north-eastern corner of trench 2, a deep blackish layer full of burnt material had been excavated. In 2007 the trench was extended to the north with the aim of investigating this layer. In the western part of this new trench (no. 6) the remains of two pottery kilns were found above the blackish layer. Unlike the kilns in trench 2, these did not rest on a foundation of stones. The northernmost kiln contained the base of an over-fired vase, possibly a 6th century B.C. stamnoid krater.