The project for the consolidation and restructuring of the medieval castle of Cervere also included a preliminary archaeological investigation. This was undertaken in two sectors: the first (A) occupied the long rectangular room to the north-west of the tower, whilst the second (B) was situated south of the latter. An articulated archaeological stratigraphy, dating from the 14th-17th century, came to light below a substantial collapse that was present in both areas. In sector A residual pottery fragments suggested that the site was already occupied during the early and mid Iron Age, in particular between the 8th and 5th century B.C.

The earliest phases documented by structural remains dated to the late antique period: in sector B a curtain wall was preserved at foundation level, situated along the edge of the plateau overhanging the river. It was built of cobbles of varying dimensions, larger in the facings, well-packed and alternating with layers of clay about 10 cm thick. At the same time, a small settlement was built in the area enclosed by the wall whose structures are attested by the presence of circular post-holes, identified in both excavation areas. However, it was not possible to define a plan of the probable timber structure from their lay out. At the extreme western edge of sector A there was a natural depression in which a substantial amount of pottery relating to this occupation phase had accumulated.

The latest structures were seen in Sector B. These related to the curtis of Cervere, mentioned in a document of 1018 which assigned the property to the noble family of the late Alineo, whilst the turris is mentioned in a document of 1078 as the property of the de Sarmatorio family. An imposing curtain wall was constructed in this period. Built of cobbles and mortar arranged in a herringbone pattern, it overlay the earlier wall.

The castle’s occupation phases were documented by a series of post-holes and an elongated pit. These contained pottery dating back as far as the 13th century.

The written sources record the castle’s destruction by the Astigiani in 1273 and its subsequent reconstruction in the mid 14th century, confirming the dating suggested by the archaeological evidence. At this time a substantial scarp wall was built along the precipice edge, incorporating or obliterating part of the pre-existing structures. Sections of wall with brick facing showed that the space within the curtain wall was reorganised at this time. The new layout involved the almost complete demolition of the earlier structures and the levelling of the area with a layer of clay and gravel which completely obliterated the surface of sector A. The dating based on construction technique was confirmed by the pottery found inside a hole, dug immediately after the construction of the curtain wall, that is the end of the 14th – beginning of the 15th century.