A number of trenches were opened this season at San Pietro di Cantoni. These were situated at the front of the temple podium, behind the podium itself and along the western edge of the paved road leading south to the temple steps from the north enclosure. At the front of the temple, the removal of a row of trees meant that in depth-excavation could finally start, with the aim of exposing the continuation of the eastern processional way running at a right angle to the so-called rectangular structure situated at the front of the monumental podium. This structure represents the earliest monumentalisation of the cult within the sanctuary area.

To the rear of the podium, the excavation concentrated on checking several contexts relating to votive hoards and pottery deposits, carefully arranged between the rocky outcrops. The excavation was then extended to the adjacent area located at the intersection between the podium’s short and long sides, where the sloping terrain meets the levelled ground north of the podium. Here, a partial and superficial intervention uncovered fragments of black gloss vessels, some of which were miniatures, clearly destined for cult use.

The third trench was opened on the west side of the road leading up to the monumental podium. A low surface, probably for water collection, was abutted by a sort of tank. This was used by the faithful, but also had an important cult purpose. In fact it was a large votive deposit, one of the largest found among the many excavated in the sanctuary of San Pietro di Cantoni. Not only the quantity and quality of the artefacts and their excellent state of preservation makes this deposit important, but also its unusual components. In addition to the pottery (mainly black gloss, but also coarse wares, both functional and miniatures), the excavation recovered tens of loom weights, carefully placed one on top of the other to form a very neat deposit rather than a jumbled assemblage.

The absolute importance of the discovery lies in its position in the ground, in the open air. The relationship with the deities, unknown but certainly distinct one from the other, was not celebrated inside the temple structure or structures, but outside in the open sanctuary area. In other words, the already complex layout of the sanctuary area with double cult structures, double processional routes and multiple entrances along the curtain wall has now produced evidence of a further peculiarity in its use.