San Rocco lies at the confluence of the Fondillo and Sangro rivers. Previous Soprintendenza excavations in 1995, 1998 and 2011 revealed a large courtyard structure of Roman date, interpreted as a villa. The 2011 excavation investigated beneath this structure identifying archaic and protohistoric deposits including postholes defining a possible hut. The objective in 2012 was to excavate sondages to recover material from the the pre-Roman levels for palaeoenvironmental and micromorphological analysis. The first 1×2m trench was located directly next to the possible protohistoric hut. No anthropogenic material or deposits were discovered, suggesting the trench was on the edge of the occupied area. At the lower levels, a complex stratigraphy of interleaved iron-stained sand, gravels and cobbles was identified; this may represent palaeo-channels of the Fondillo river.

A second 1×2m trench was excavated next to a ‘flood wall’ identified in 2011. This produced small deposits of charcoal and burnt clay, one associated with impasto. These seem to represent ephemeral combustion features. The lower stratigraphy suggests the presence of an ancient river course. Environmental and micromorphological samples were taken from both trenches.

Other work included a geoelectric survey of the site (11 transects) and georadar (33 transects) to intersect known archaeological features and to investigate geoelectric anomalies. Initial interpretation suggests the archaeology is close to the surface (<1m) with geological anomalies detected at >2m across much of the site; the latter presumably relate to palaeo-river channels.

Topographical work investigated the wider landscape. Transects were walked vertically up the valley sides to document terraces and other structures. The wooded area immediately above San Rocco was surveyed and a small trench (0.5×1.5m) excavated within an abandoned structure. The aim was to identify deposits for micromorphological analysis which might help characterize the function of such structures. However, no deposits were identified. (Susan Kane)