The middle Bronze Age settlement is situated on an ancient river terrace on the left bank of the Afra torrent, a tributary of the Tiber, on the slopes of Poggio Miolo, close to an Apennine pass leading into the Marche. The stratigraphic sequence revealed the existence of one anthropological level relating to a single occupation phase. A vast area was examined revealing a surface with various types of structures, relating to habitations, fixed into the paleo-riverbed of the Afra. These included post holes, different types of structures for combustion such as ovens and hearths, and middens). During the 2001 campaign a pottery container, buried up to the rim, was found in a pit dug in the sterile base sediment, in an area poor in finds but characterized by the presence of a large quantity of baked earth. The combustion structures (a small oven for food and a hearth) were of particular interest. Both were situated inside the same dwelling and were connected to each other. The oven, excavated in 2003-2004, preserved the red baked-earth floor of sub-circular shape, on the south side of which a projecting wall was still visible which suggested that originally the structure had been covered by a plastered vault. Near the patch of baked-earth two pits of different size and depth were uncovered. These were in phase with the oven. The hearth, discovered in 2005 to the east of the oven, comprised large flat stones forming a flat circular surface with a slight depression in the centre. The materials recovered during the 2006 excavation, as for previous years, mainly consisted of pottery in a bad state of preservation due to the acidic soil. Of particular interest was the find of a fragment with Apennine type decoration which joined to a carenated bowl found in 2005. Also of interest was an amber bead, of particular importance as this element of considerable value was found in a context which appeared, on the basis of the archaeological evidence, lacking in similar elements. This find throws new light on social and economic aspects of the community of Gorgo del Ciliegio: no longer poor herders dependent on local resources, but a social group owning prestigious goods and well integrated into the trading network of the period.

During July and August 2007 the seventh excavation campaign was undertaken on the middle Bronze Age settlement of Gorgo del Ciliegio (Sansepolcro – AR), under the direction of the Prehistoric Ecology Research Unit of the University of Siena, in collaboration with the Archaeological Superintendency of Tuscany. The investigation was carried out with the help of the Archaeological Group of Sansepolcro (GRAS) and the Centre for studies on the Quaternary (CeSQ), undergraduates, post-graduates and researchers from Siena, Naples and Rome Universities, as well as school students from the province of Arezzo. The settlement of Gorgo del Ciliegio is situated in the Torrente Afra valley, on the left bank at 400 m a.s.l., up against the western side of the Poggio di Miolo. During the last excavation campaign a surface area of 25 m2 was investigated. The stratigraphic sequence uncovered showed substantial variations with respect to what had been seen in earlier excavations. As in previous years, within the occupation deposit (average depth of 35-40 cm) it was possible to make a distinction between the lower part, characterized by the presence of the true floor level corresponding to the period of the site’s occupation, and the upper part relating to the moment immediately prior to its abandonment. The investigation identified the eastern end of the hut, already partially excavated during previous campaigns, and brought to light new structures situated inside it. In particular what emerged was a “step” and a “small channel” cut into the terrain along the eastern side of the dwelling. An important find was that of a certain number of fragmented, but largely complete, pottery containers around the hearth, whose position attests they were more or less in situ. In the same area a large quantity of carbonized botanical remains (mainly legumes) were recovered, probably part of the contents of the above mentioned containers. The pottery’s characteristics provide further confirmation of the chronological and cultural picture proposed so far for Gorgo del Ciliegio, that is some time at the beginning of the 3rd millennium B.C. if not even to a moment of passage between the 2nd and 3rd millennium B.C., a hypothesis which is supported by the results of the radiometric dating: - Sample code: Beta – 171117 - Conventional date: 3190±70 BP - Calibrated date (1σ): cal BC 1520-1400 (cal BP 3470-3350) - Calibrated date (2σ): cal BC 1620-1310 (cal BP 3570-3260) - Intersection date 14C/ calibration curve: cal BC 1440 (cal BP 3390)

A surface area of 29 m2 was investigated, relating to quadrants H 9-10, I 5-14, L 5-15, M 7-12 e 14, all (except I 5 and M 12) opened for the first time. As regards the stratigraphic sequence no substantial variations with respect to past interventions were noted. The occupation level varied between 35 and 57 cm in thickness, maintaining the usual slope in a north-east/south-west direction. The height on the upper surface ranged between -63 and -101, the heights at the base between -115 and -131. There was a visible distinction within the layer between the lower part of the deposit, characterised by the presence of the “paleo-surface”, corresponding with the period of the site’s occupation, and the upper part, relating to the moment immediately after the abandonment of the settlement. The stratigraphic investigation concentrated in particular on the area occupied by quadrants I-M/5-15, where a further section of the occupation surface was uncovered. This provided new data regarding the edge of the hut and the external space adjacent to it. In this area, the edge of the structure (situated in quadrants I-N/ 5-6) appeared to still be partly constituted by the channel already identified in 2007 which, having run along the east side of the hut bent towards the west and petered out in quadrant M6, and in part by an alignment of medium sized stones (as a continuation of the channel). Inside the channel were two small post holes for props, similar to another small pit on an oblique line, situated in the zone occupied by the line of stones. The fill in the holes was made up of charcoal rich soil or refined yellow clay. Residues of this clay, forming actual cordons, all on a north-west/south-east alignment, were present next to the channel and the line of stones. Lastly, the channel was bordered by numerous stones of various sizes. In quadrant N6 the start of a new channel was identified (n. 2) which joined the other (n. 1) at a right angle, and appeared to head towards the north. Between the two channels there was a concentration of large stones, some of which in an upright position as if to form a sort of “dam”. One of the most interesting results related to the occupation level outside the dwelling (quadrants I-L 9-15). Here, next to the hut was another structure used for combustion, formed by a large flat kerb-shaped stone (50 x 70 cm). This too was probably an area used for cooking food, as finds all around it of burnt legumes and cereals would seem to confirm. Furthermore, the entire surface area investigated presented an abundance of carbonised remains, in some cases burnt twigs and brush. Another element was also recovered together with the burnt wood, perhaps an artefact, of which almost only the impression was preserved. Its form was similar to that of a small shovel with a handle that had a central rib. Once the burnt wood was removed the loose foundation, characteristic of the dwelling’s external space, was revealed across the entire area outside the hut (M-I/15-13). This was constituted by well compacted stones, pottery and bone fragments and linked to the analogous surface discovered in quadrants O-M/13 during the 2007 excavation. To be noted amongst the materials found a fragment of carenated bowl with a lug-handle attached directly to the rim and a “omphalos” base, and a few fragments of worked stone, all flint flakes that were not retouched. As regards the interpretation of the settlement’s plan and function, the results of the 2008 campaign widely confirm the hypotheses proposed following the past excavations. In particular, the different treatment reserved for the interior floor surface on the one hand and that of the external space on the other. To form the latter the entire area surrounding the dwelling was reclaimed through a disorderly amassing of gravel, stones, pottery fragments and the remains of food to form a loose foundation that provided drainage. Participants in the campaign were the members of the Gruppo Archeologico di Sansepolcro, pupils of the Liceo Artistico di Sansepolcro and students, graduates and post-graduates from the Universities of Siena, Naples and Florence.

In July-August 2010, the ninth excavation campaign took place on the middle Bronze age settlement of Gorgo del Ciliegio (Sansepolcro – AR). A total area of 36 m2 was excavated, some of which for the first time. No substantial variations were noted in the stratigraphy with respect to what was documented during previous excavations. Within the occupation layer the usual distinction was found between the lower part of the deposit, characterised by the presence of the “paleo-surface” corresponding with the site’s occupation, and the upper level relating to the moment immediately after the its abandonment. The excavation concentrated on the area occupied by the dwelling and the adjacent zone where a large deep pit, divided into two by an earth wall, came to light. A further section of the occupation level outside the hut was also uncovered here. The latter was constituted by a surface made up of randomly deposited stones, gravel, pottery fragments, and faunal remains. The function of the large pit remains uncertain. Its conformation and vicinity to the hut’s north wall however suggest its use was connected with the re-plastering of the hut walls. The hut was excavated along its northern perimeter, where a channel 30-40 cm and a maximum of 20 cm deep, edged with large stones was uncovered. Small post holes were situated at regular intervals in the channel, interrupted about halfway along by a large hole for a supporting post. The materials found were mainly recovered from the pit and external occupation level and were constituted on the whole by pottery and faunal remains. A number of bone punches were found. Members of the Gruppo Archeologico di Sansepolcro and students from the universities of Siena, Napleas and Florence took part in the excavation.

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In July-August 2010, the tenth excavation campaign took place on the middle Bronze age settlement of Gorgo del Ciliegio (Sansepolcro – AR). A total area of 39 m2 was excavated, some parts for the first time. No substantial variations were noted in the stratigraphy with respect to what was documented during previous excavations. Excavation of the hut was largely completed. Thanks mainly to the 2010 and 2011 campaigns it had already been possible to define the shape and size of the hut. It was a large dwelling (about 9 m wide and 9 m long), with an apse and sub-rectilinear long sides, on a north-south alignment. The entrance was probably to the south, but this area remains to be excavated. The east side of the structure rested on a hump formed by hill slope debris; in fact, the post-holes on this side were smaller in size. The rest of the hut floor rested in part of the paleo-riverbed of the Afra and also on hill slope debris. At this point, it was possible to evaluate the position of the hearth found in 2006 and of the containers associated with it. The hearth was situated up against the east side just outside the apse, on a raised surface, formed by a sort of step dug out of the terrain, 40 cm above the hut’s floor surface. A large bowl was found in 2007 on the same step, to the right of the hearth. It is presumed that this originally contained the burnt cereals and legumes found in the adjacent quadrants. The post-holes showed notably different characteristics, although almost all contained a fill that revealed little evidence of anthropic activity, a fact, which may indicate that this hut was one of the first built by the community that settled at Gorgo del Ciliegio. The holes for the supporting posts (at about the middle of the apse, on the west side and in the centre) were large (60-70 cms in diameter). All contained large stones used to wedge the post into an off centre position with respect to the hole, as suggested not only by the position of the stones but also by the presence of yellowish refined clay. The rest of the hole was filled with soil containing numerous small cobbles. In the centre of the hut, there were traces of oblique posts to support the larger ones. Members of the Gruppo Archeologico di Sansepolcro and students from the universities of Siena, Naples and Florence took part in the excavation.

This was the twelfth excavation campaign on the middle Bronze Age site of Gorgo del Ciliegio (Sansepolcro – AR). A total area of 43 m2 were investigated, most of which opened for the first time. Natural was not reached in any of the quadrants. The aim of the campaign was to complete the stratigraphic excavation of the area occupied by the hut. This was only partially achieved as the situation relating to the hut’s perimeter proved to be more complex than originally thought. It had been thought that the hut was rectangular with a single apse opposite an entrance on the south-west side. Based on the previous year’s excavation results, it was necessary to formulate an alternative hypothesis: possibly two apses and the entrance to the west on one of the long sides. The main discoveries from this year were: - a large central posthole (hole 17bis) - a smaller posthole on the east side (O/P8bis α) - a possible small channel symmetrical to the one excavated on the side with the apse. The posthole 17bis was perfectly aligned with the large complex of central pits situated between I L 1 2 and was similar in typology as it was wide and contained numerous large stone wedges. Posthole O/P8bis α was aligned along the eastern side of the structure immediately uphill from the cut in the slope debris. The hearth in O3-4 was situated on this cut. This circular posthole, was 33 cm in diameter and very deep. Its excavation in section revealed the profile of the post, which was pointed at the end. In the final 40 cm the wood of the post was substituted by refined clay which through a slow process of infiltration had gradually replaced the rotting organic material. Thus, it was possible to reconstruct the shape and diameter of the post itself and recover a block from it. In quadrants I - L - M 10 - 11, the presence of a strip of terrain with more occupation evidence, edged by almost sterile soil on a curved alignment, suggested the existence of a channel symmetrical to that situated on the north-eastern side. However, as it was not possible to complete the excavation in these quadrants this hypothesis will have to be verified during the next excavation campaign. If the new proposals are confirmed, it would mean that the hut at Gorgo del Ciliegio was on a north-east/south-west alignment, had a double apse and the entrance on the west side (rather than to the south-west), was c. 20 m long and 9 m wide. Furthermore, as we already know, it abutted the hill slope on the west side. (is this possible if the door is in the west side??) As usual, the finds were made up of faunal remains, rare lithic industry, and abundant pottery, including a fragment decorated in the Apennine style.