The excavation aimed to define the extension, chronology and function of the so-called “edificio dei dolii” which came to light in 2009-2010. A new trench was opened in order to investigate the circuit walls, identified from aerial photographs.

“Edificio dei dolii”

The excavation identified evidence relating to an indigenous archaic dwelling and, therefore, pre-dating the construction of this building characterised by stone footings for the walls. Two burials were investigated, in graves with a stone covering, which the grave goods date to the beginning of the 6th century B.C. The other numerous cuts in the bedrock attest the occupation of this area in the archaic period. All were filled with dumped material, probably at the time of this building’s construction.

The investigations also confirmed the probable utilitarian function of room B, as seemed to be indicated by the presence of a work-bench and the fact that its south-western side was open.

Room D was a narrow entrance to room C, a small channel for draining rainwater ran along its length.

A new room (E) was uncovered, where fragments of baked clay grates and metal waste products suggest that metal artefacts were produced. (Marina Castoldi, Alessandro Pace)

Wall trench

Iazzo Fornasiello was a fortified settlement, as was usual for centres in Peucezia from the archaic period onwards, as can be seen from the aerial photographs.
The wall came to light during earth moving work prior to the construction of a barn.

It was decided to excavate in correspondence with the barn, where the section created by the modern cut could provide a precise indication for the structure’s position. The investigation confirmed that it was a fortification formed by a wall and ditch, as seen in other settlements in Peucizia and ancient Apulia in general.

South of the ditch lay the fortification wall which, at this point, was preserved to a height of 1.5 m. It must have been an imposing structure, being 6.74 m in width with a double facing with internal fill (improperly defined as emplekton).

The external facing was the most solid and imposing (at least at this point). It was built with large stone blocks (roughly squared and levelled on the make ups, alternating with un-worked medium sized blocks, the spaces between wedged with small stones). This was mainly a dry-stone construction, the only bonding material seemed to be a fairly compact clay silt.

The wall was cut by a series of holes of various size, all characterised by a fill of fairly loose dark brown silt mixed with gravel, cobbles, bones and pottery fragments, probably the result of modern interventions. No dating can be given for the structures at present, as only the surface layers were investigated and these produced little material.