During the field season of 2009 in the extra-muros early Christian basilica of the Roman castrum of Scampis, apart from the excavation carried out in the previously opened trenches, new trenches were also dug in the western and southern sides of the monuments
The excavations on the western part of the basilica revealed the area of the narthex, the passage ways to its southern and northern sides, and the pilaster (US [0067]) of the second columns (US [0068]) of the southern arcade. Also, a new room was discovered to the west of the narthex, probably the atrium of the exonarthex, which appears to have been paved or modified during a second phase of reconstruction.
The excavation on the outer and southern side of the church’s wall (trench K 13) identified a concentration of brown glass fragments, which seems to belong to one of the windows. The hiatus noticed in the ground level of the southwestern corner of the trench, could suggest for the existence of a possible grave. A further extension of the excavation in the apse and at the eastern wall of the basilica brought new data about the construction technique of the monuments. It consists of three horizontal courses of bricks alternated with stone rows of 50 cm high bonded with abundant lime mortar, which suggest the use an opus mixtum style of construction.
Further research in the central nave defined that the polychrome mosaic floor is organized into two panels, one lying to the east and the other to the west of the nave.
The surface of the eastern panel is occupied by a crater from which vine-braches freely spread out. Different birds and animals are positioned between the vine-branches, while two human figures stand on both sides of the crater: a male on the left and a female on the right side. The design of the western mosaic consists of a white surface and three green trees with red fruits on which flying birds seem to descend to eat the fruits. Another mosaic floor featuring intersecting circles which form a four leaf flower was uncovered in the sanctuary area. The mosaic bed is made of firm mortar with abundant crushed tile powder (_cocciopesto_), giving it a strong red color.
The extension of the excavation area ascertained that the mural painting is preserved on the entire length of the basilica’s walls. The wall frescoes consist of rectangular panels framed with irregular rows of fish scales motives. It was also now certain, that the semicircle apse has been covered with mosaic, dominated by glass paste tesserae. The only motive of the mosaic pf the apse is preserved in the fragment SF 175. It consists of three dented bandages; two of them are of different nuances of green color, and the others, probably made of soft limestone or ocher clay tesserae, create the border between the mosaic and the wall paintings.
The only coin found during the excavation was revealed in the narthex area (K11), which though badly leggible, could be a Byzantine nummus.