Excavations were carried out in several zones of the Bronze Age fortified settlement of Coppa Nevigata. In the area of the Apennine postern gate excavation reached the level on which the wall was set and further examination of the interior of the wall itself was undertaken towards the east, which identified a first construction phase. Inside the eastern tower the cobble surface dating to the Apennine phase was removed together with the collapse below relating to the proto-Apennine phase. This revealed the original surface of the room which related to the latter cultural context. Numerous pottery fragments and a flint arrow head were found. In the zone in front of the eastern tower, dating to the Apennine period when the latter was partially rebuilt, traces were found of what must have been the original front of the proto-Apennine tower. This projected over 12 m from the external line of the walls. The examination of the road surface (relating to the Sub-Apennine period, but overlaying an earlier road) which exited from the Apennine walls was completed, together with that of stretch of early Iron Age ditch which intercepted it. To the east of the row of stones delimiting the road the fronts of three intersecting walls were uncovered. The earliest, situated to the south of the others on a straight north-south alignment, seems to date to the early Apennine period; the other two, which were curved, cannot be precisely dated, but must be later than this phase and precede the Sub-Apennine re-organization of the road, as well as the rebuilding of the ditch which cuts the northern most wall of the three. It may therefore relate to the external defences built in the Apennine period. To the west of the road a sub-rectangular structure was better defined. It can be ascribed to the Early Apennine period and is preserved to a height of almost 1 m. Reinforced with several buttresses to the north, its base was abutted by a curvilinear structure which is difficult to interpret. Further to the west the line of the Apennine phase ditch’s stone facing was better defined, as were the earthworks behind it. In the area of the sub-Apennine settlement a sub-rectangular beaten surface was uncovered, with traces of burning and evidence of various remakes, relating to a dwelling.

During the campaign which took place in September 2009 work was undertaken in five sectors, investigating the Bronze Age levels. 1) In quadrants F1R, F2D, G1O, G1P, G2A and G2B work continued towards gaining a better definition of the operations that went into the creation of the ditch, in particular in the first phase, attributable to the Late Apennine period. The investigation of burnt structures datable to a late phase of the Proto Apennine period also continued. In the eastern part of the excavation area the exploration of the Proto Apennine structures, although not completed, uncovered two sub-circular combustion structures, whilst the rest of this zone appeared to be occupied by yellowish crushed limestone make up, partially overlaid by a clay surface. 2) In sectors G2H, H2E and H2I the exploration of levels datable to the Early Apennine period continued. These levels abutted the base of a stretch of related walls which now appear as trapezoidal in shape, with the short side on the interior. Towards the north-east the levels were intercepted by the ditch facing dating to the end of the early Iron Age and therefore it was not possible to establish their original width. By the south-eastern corner a hearth was identified in a small depression in the ground surface. The southern edge of the Early Apennine levels was constituted by the Proto Apennine walls: here investigation of the front part of the covered postern gate, identified in the previous campaign, continued. 3) In G2M, G2N and G2R the internal face of the Proto Apennine wall, and its transformations, was investigated. This internal face seemed to have been robbed of most of the stones that must have constituted its front which was then rebuilt with irregular stones. 4) In quadrants G2Q, G3C and G3D investigation of the Sub-Apennine levels continued. A wide clay surface was exposed which, to the north, seemed to go beyond an alignment of large stones, whilst to the north-west it was cut by a shallow sub-circular pit full of cobbles. This accumulation may be linked to the use of the large cylindrical pit found just to the north. 5) In a vast area corresponding to quadrants F3D, F3G, F3H, G3A, G3C (part), G3E, G3F and G3G levels dating to the early Sub Apennine and Late Apennine periods were explored. In several of these quadrants a make up of soil mixed with yellow limestone was removed. This had probably been laid at the beginning of the late Bronze Age in order to pave a large space in correspondence with the track leading to the settlement. This arrangement seemed to replace an earlier one, datable to the late Apennine period, in which the ground surface had been consolidated with gravel. The traces of a structure delimited by a curving element of earth mixed with yellow limestone dated to the latter phase.

The 2010 campaign, undertaken during September, excavated in five areas, investigating the Bronze Age levels in particular. 1)In sectors F2H, F2R, G1O, G2A excavation of the structures identified in previous campaigns continued and a more in-depth investigation of a stretch of Proto-Apennine wall in the first of these sectors began. As regards the structure, just to the north four post holes were identified which must have held the timbers supporting the roof. Traces of the beaten floor surface preceding the one already uncovered were also identified. In the northern part of F2H a trench was dug in the fill of the walls dating to the early Apennine period, built with earth mixed with crushed yellow limestone, in order to check whether this was the site of the exterior of the postern gate identified in sector F2N. The front exterior of the postern gate was preserved to the height of the roof and was excavated to most of its original height, reaching the base of the late Proto-Apennine levels, constituted by levels of earth mixed with yellowish limestone. 2)In sectors G2H, H2E, H2I (north part) exploration of the late Proto-Apennine levels, situated outside of the first fortifications and showing traces of burning, continued. This revealed a lower part of the covered postern gate, still without reaching its base. The Proto-Apennine walls were preserved here to a height of at least 2 m, but again the base was not reached. In sector H2H, at the base of the levels of burning dating to the late Proto-Apennine period, a circular hearth came to light. An earlier occupation phase dating to the same period was also identified. This was characterized by the presence of a cobbled surface and numerous post holes, which partly followed the line of the external face of the Proto-Apennine walls. 3)In G2R, H2I (south part) and H2O exploration of the inner face of the Proto-Apennine walls and subsequent rebuilds continued. In H2I and H2O, as already seen in G2M and G2N, this inner face was heavily robbed in antiquity and then the facing was roughly replaced. This facing was abutted by a certain quantity of yellowish earth. A new inner face was constructed above this and partially containing it. When the latter also fell into ruin, the remains were covered with a dump of clayey soil, on top of which, at least in part, a cobbled surface was created. In the early Sub-Apennine period this was also covered by an accumulation of yellowish soil. The southern part of sectors G2R and H2O had been heavily disturbed by the action of a bulldozer in 1979: this had largely removed the fill from the two large sub-cylindrical structures, similar to the other three uncovered previously in the adjacent sectors, probably dug at the end of the late Sub-Apennine period. 4)In G2O, G2P, G3B, G3C exploration continued of the Sub-Apennine levels together with the excavation of the fill of a semicircular, stone-built, post-Bronze Age structure. The late Sub-Apennine levels investigated in this area produced several metal fragments, some segments of sawn deer horn and a rock-crystal bead. These levels did not seem to relate to a definable structure: the presence of a row of large stones may perhaps be interpreted as a bench rather than the base of a wall. In two localized points there were traces of burning with the presence of vegetal fibres, perhaps planks relating to the flat roofing or an intermediate floor that had partially collapsed. The structure mentioned above, which appeared to have a semicircular plan but it cannot be excluded that it was circular, was seen to comprise several rows of overlapping stones, whose diameter increased towards the base. The exterior did not have a facing, which suggests that it may have been constructed by digging a large pit and resting the stones against its sides. 5)The ample area paved with gravel was not subjected to further investigation, however a number of adjacent sectors were excavated. In quadrant F3D, or rather in the L-shaped part of it not previously excavated below layer 1, the Sub-Apennine levels preceding the creation of the sub-rectangular structure present here were removed. In particular, in the one metre square quadrants F and G a concentration of pottery was uncovered, with indications that it was broken where it lay. To the south-east three new quadrants were opened (G3H, H3E). The first of the two had been largely disturbed by the bulldozer; in the remaining part and in H3E the archaeological deposit was preserved from 20 cm below present ground level. Several features were preserved, although discontinuously, including three cooking surfaces and accumulations of baked clay.

The 2011 excavations at Coppa Nevigata uncovered several Bronze Age phases. Exploration of the Proto-Apennine walls (circa 1700 B.C.) in the eastern zone continued, during which the point where they began to bend towards the south-east was identified. In this area, another postern gate was documented, close to what appeared to be an opening situated at about 1 m from the base of the walls themselves and blocked during restructuring in the Apennine phase. The second postern gate, situated in sector F2H, was fully excavated down to the base. Its large covering slab was preserved. Levels dating to the Recent Proto-Apennine (14th century B.C.) period were investigated in the area in front of the postern gate. The levels showed signs of an extensive fire. Several fragments of baked-clay with impressions of canes/stakes were uncovered, presumably part of the west side of the quadrangular structure uncovered in previous years, together with a large circular kiln/hearth. The badly disturbed remains of a structure delimited by a low wall and with a fill of crushed yellowish limestone mixed with earth can be dated to the Early Apennine period (15th century B.C.). It was probably one of a series of defensive structures situated along a line running parallel to the first Proto-Apennine walls. Skeletal remains were found on the occupation surface associated with this structure, situated not far from the Proto-Apennine walls themselves. In the same phase or in the Late Proto-Apennine period the part of the first wall towards the settlement was removed and a roughly-built frontage was constructed. This phenomenon was also seen in sector H2P, where a bread oven was also identified, situated in the inner part of the presumed postern gate mentioned above. Between the Early Apennine period and beginning of the Late Apennine, the oven was partially dismantled and a substantial quantity of earth rich in yellow limestone accumulated. It was on this level that the Recent Apennine walls were built. These walls were in turn were disturbed when, during the Sub-Apennine period, two circular structures were built abutting them. In the south-eastern part of the excavation, a new area was opened (H3F) bringing the total area to circa 120 m2. Here, parts of two cylindrical pits were uncovered, similar to those uncovered in previous years in the area north-west of the trench opened by the bulldozer. In the rest of the area numerous combustion structures came to light, including at least one bread oven, with up to three overlying floors built of pottery fragments and separated by the laying of clay surfaces, presumably representing the same number of rebuilds. In a last area, the Recent Sub-Apennine levels were excavated down to, the layer of earth mixed with crushed yellow limestone already seen in other sectors in previous years, where it was present. In almost the entire area investigated, this was overlain by a cobbled surface comprising small stones and marine cobblestones. This was probably a third reorganisation of the area. Several postholes were documented, which cannot for the moment be associated with a defined structure. Part of a cooking slab was also found. Several fragments of Mycenean-type pottery, a stone weight and a number of metal fragments from unidentifiable artefacts were also recovered, as well as a tanged knife, the small nails for attaching the handle still preserved.

A further section of the Sub-Apenninic wall, altered and reused in the Recent Apenninic period, was uncovered in sectors H2L, H2M, H2P, and H2Q, thus clarifying a situation that had only begun to appear during the 2011 excavations. In a late phase of the Recent Apenninic, a quadrangular turret, abutting the front of the wall, was built between H2L and H2M; a second turret was identified at a few metres further east. The first of the turrets was built in correspondence with an Appenine postern-gate, blocked during the same phase; the bread oven inside the wall, excavated in 2011, was presumably also built at this time. The postern-gate, built on the base of the reused Sub-Appenine walls, was inserted between two foreparts, the one to the west projecting further than the eastern one, that to the. The western turret, probably joined to the bastion situated east of the Appenine gate and seemed to present the same construction technique as the external containing wall, built of stones with a fill of earth mixed with crushed yellowish limestone. In synthesis, it may be that the restructuring of the interior face of the Sub-Appenine walls and the construction of the postern-gate took place at the beginning of the Recent Appenine period. The section of external wall also thickened the Appenine walls in the zone in which they had lost most of their width from the interior. The new gate was then framed between two projecting elements. The eastern one was the smaller, as seemed to be the case of the known Appenine postern-gate that was situated immediately east of the blocked Sub-Appenine gate and west of a forepart with a curved profile, later transformed into a quadrangular turret. This postern-gate also seemed to go out of use late in the Recent Appenine period, when a circular structure was built in correspondence with it, on the settlement side. Therefore, unlike what occurred in the Sub-Appenine period, in the Recent Appenine the postern-gates seemed to have been fewer in number but visible from the exterior. However, soon the Appenine gates were eliminated and, in correspondence with the gate exposed during the 2011 campaign, a bread oven was built in the interior. It is probably that when the first ditch was dug during the Recent Appenine, the foreparts, in the recently excavated area, went out of function, substituted by the turrets built on a higher level, parallel to the top of the postern-gate situated between them. Lastly, late in the recent Appenine period, a certain quantity of earth mixed with yellowish limestone accumulated up against the internal face of the walls used in the first phase, an accumulation on which the new interior face of the Appenine walls (in 20112 also found in H2Q) was constructed. The bread oven was also abandoned, damaged, and incorporated into the new wall face. This complex series of transformations within a period that must have been less than 150 years (from just beyond the mid 15th century to the end of the 14th century B.C.), indicates the frequency with which modifications were carried out, even major ones, in the fortification system in this period.

During the 2013 season, several sectors were opened in the north-eastern part of the settlement, reaching as far as the border with the modern pathway that skirts around the fencing of the buffalo enclosure. At present, investigation of the continuation of the fortifications towards the south-east is blocked by this pathway. In order to make the best use of the available space in this direction, some of the excavation sectors were given a triangular or polygonal shape. The following trenches were opened: the south-eastern part of sector H2A (triangle), the south-western part of sector H2F (triangle), the eastern part of sector H2Q (rectangle minus a small corner), the south-western part of sector H2R (triangle), sector H3D (almost complete) and sectors H3C, H3G and H3H (complete). In H2A, a row of large stones was uncovered that delimited an accumulation of earth mixed with crumbled yellowish limestone. This alignment presumably linked to the analogous structure uncovered in 2012, as there is only a small part missing, probably due to erosion. In H2Q, the continuation of the Apennine walls (14th century B.C.: figs. 3-4) was identified, the frontage built on top of the proto-Apennine walls, together with the late Apennine quadrangular tower and the eastern forepart dating to the early Classical Apennine period. The front of the walls was also traced in the adjacent sector H2R and for a short length in H3D, where it began to curve to the south-east. The structures exposed in G3E, where excavation continued below the floor surface of the open area consolidated with gravel, were also attributable to the same period. A series of levels were investigated that appear datable to the Classical Apennine period (14th century B.C.), some with a cobbled surface (fig.5). A large structure was identified in sectors H3C and H3H. It was delimited to the south-west by a row of medium sized stones and characterised by the presence of a layer of medium-small stones (figs. 6-7) to the north-east. The latter’s north-eastern edge was not clearly defined: it is likely that its bad state of preservation on this side is the result of erosion due to the slope of the artificial rise. This structure, presumably datable to the 13th century B.C., appeared to post-date the Apennine walls and pre-date the last sub-Apennine levels preserved _in_ _situ_ and which cannot be precisely interpreted at present. Several layers attributable to the 12th century B.C. were present in quadrant H3E, constituted by alternating layers of earth rich in organic elements and thin make ups of crushed yellowish limestone. This suggested a series of repeated episodes of occupation and the remaking of the floor surfaces. In this area, part of a circular or horseshoe-shaped combustion structure was exposed (fig.10). The make up for a small hearth was also identified in H3L (fig. 11). An area extending across part of H3G a large part of H3F and the north part of H3L was investigated, across which baked clay fragments were present, some with thin plant impressions (twigs, canes). Also present in the area were the fragments of broken pottery vessels _in situ_ (fig. 12). Lastly, the fill of a large cylindrical pit - silos (fig.13), was excavated in H3G. One was already known in this area, and they were probably dug in the 12th century but filled with dumps of material from the successive centuries. The eastern part of another pit, previously identified in H3F, was also excavated.

Essentially three areas were investigated: 1) the north-eastern part of the Apenninic walls, with later Sub-Appenninic rebuilds (14th-12th century B.C.); 2) a part of the settlement dating to the Recent Sub-Appenninic (12th century B.C.), with clear traces of destruction and burning; 3) the area south-east of the gate into the settlement, dating to the transition phase between the Appenninic and Sub-Appenninic periods c. 1300 B.C. 1) Work continued on exposing the line of the walls. The related fill of stones was only visible in a very narrow strip, partially obliterated by the Sub-Appenninic levels. The later elements uncovered on the slope were constituted by parts of curved structures (probably originally circular, c. 2 m in diameter but badly disturbed by erosion), bordered by medium-sized stones and interior surface made up of smaller cobblestones. The latest Sub-Appenninic levels immediately uphill from the fill of the Appenninic walls and line of circular structures were characterised by the presence of an alignment of medium-sized stones that was followed for almost 20 m. This alignment can probably be interpreted as an element bordering the area situated to the south-west of it. It was not substantial enough to have been a defensive structure. It could also have been the south-western edge of a track that partially followed the line of the earlier walls on the interior, however the opposite edge that could confirm this hypothesis was not preserved. 2) The excavation of the Recent Sub-Appenninic settlement with traces of destruction and burning took place in several sectors. The principal characteristic was the widespread presence of baked clay in various points. This evidence suggests the existence of walls with a framework of vegetal material covered with clay. This technique was well documented in sector H3N where the base of one of these walls, c. 15 cm thick, was preserved. Traces of hearths were also present. Pottery fragments were found on the floor surface, including some large pieces of intact or reconstructable bowls, and grindstone fragments. There was a concentration of faunal remains in a small area, probably used for storage of a practical or symbolic nature. 3) This area is situated south-east of the entrance into the settlement used from the Appenninic until at least the Sub-Appenninic period. Here the investigation of the Sub-Appenninic levels continued and in some sectors the Appenninc levels were reached. The removal was completed of an accumulation of material situated in the northernmost sector. Made up of soil mixed with crushed yellowish limestone it had been deposited in several phases. This accumulation formed a low rise sloping from east to west (that is in the direction of the road that crosses the entrance itself, whose surface had gradually risen in height through time) and from north to south. In both a late and intermediate phase of its formation, dry-stone bases of medium to large sized stones were constructed, relating to a structure of some size, built in two different periods in the same position.

Three areas were investigated this season: the Apennine/early Sub-Apennine layers situated south of the wall, immediately east of the gate leading into the settlement; the layers from the same period situated in the south-eastern sector of the excavation area; the Sub-Apennine layers south-east of the large trench caused by a bulldozer in 1979. In the northernmost sectors of the first area work halted at the top of the Apennine layers marked by an extensive cobbled surface. In the southernmost sectors, the excavation was deepened, exposing two structures delimited by dry-stone curved walls. In the second area, work continued to identify a short stretch of the inner front of the Apennine walls. In some points, as seen further north-west, the original dry-stone fill of the Apennine walls had been partly substituted with earth, delimited on the inner side by a small containing wall. A cylindrical pit was discovered, which can be added to the number of those identified in previous years. Towards the north-west, the Apennine walls appeared to be cut by a deep trench with a trapezoidal plan, to be interpreted as one of the trenches dug by Quagliati in the early 1900s. The trench was reopened in order to record the stratigraphy and then back filled again. In addition to the fill of the Apennine walls, it appeared to have intercepted, at a much lower level, the fill of the proto-Apennine walls. The trench deepened further, down to a level, which the few pottery fragments found suggest could date to the Neolithic period. The excavation results from the levels in the third area appear of particular interest. As known from previous campaigns, the entire southern area showed signs of extensive burning and associated substantial accumulations of baked clay. Although it is necessary to acquire further evidence, in the central part of the area there appeared to be two partially overlying quadrangular structures, both destroyed by fire. The upper one produced a small number of finds. In addition to impasto pottery, the lower structure produced several fragments of wheel-made painted pottery of Italian-Mycenaean type, partially marked by exposure to high temperatures. Large quantities of seeds were recovered and the remains of carbonised planks/posts identified. The surrounding areas showed lesser traces of burning, but a clay surface (probably an open area outside the structures) exposed to this fire was present and had at least one cooking plaque. Other finds included a fragment of a bow fibula and two pin heads made of hard animal material decorated with a dice-eye pattern. A drone was used to take aerial footage of the area, which has provided an up-to-date image of the excavations.

The excavations concentrated on six sectors, each 25 m2 (H3Q, H3R, H4C, H4D, I3O, I4A), in which the surface layers had already been removed in previous years. The sub-Appennine levels were investigated, revealing two structures. An interesting find was the base of a probable building of which a semicircular side was preserved, while the rest had been destroyed in part by a sub-cylindrical pit and in part by the passage of a bulldozer in 1979 and subsequent ploughing. The surviving semicircular side was characterised by the presence of a clay bench, showing traces of burning from a probable fire, on top of which 11 clay “rings” positioned at a distance of 20 cm one from the other were partially preserved. It is not easy to interpret this arrangement: they could be the housings for posts, but this would not explain their close positioning. Two cooking surfaces were identified inside the structure, both bordered by a clay ring, offset one from the other, relating to two phases of use. The lower one was off-centre and covered by a layer of clay. In other points, clay ‘masserelle’ tiles were present, only some of which very slightly burnt, in addition to elements probably belonging to cooking stands made of unbaked or badly fired clay. A truncated pyramid shaped loom weight was found together with numerous pottery fragments, some presumably reconstructable, mainly from closed forms. Towards the south-east, where the bench seemed to stop, several fragments of baked clay bearing the impression of canes/reeds were present, probably the remains of one of the walls. It is difficult to propose a function for this structure as its eastern part is missing; the semicircular side, clay rings, and the presence of half-baked elements for cooking differentiate it from Sub-Appennine domestic structures that are generally quadrangular. A symbolic use cannot be completely discarded, although this hypothesis can only be proposed with caution. The other possible structure was attested by the presence of a platform that seemed to have originally been sub-quadrangular in plan, but was partially disturbed, built of crushed yellowish limestone. In some places, the platform seemed to have been exposed to fire. Several millstone fragments were found beside it. Among the finds this season were the head of a large bone pin carved to form rays, a probable stone weight of the type without a hook, a few fragments of Mycenaean type pottery, and a few fragments from metal artefacts.

This season, a smaller area than usual was excavated, particularly compared to the last campaign, which took place in 2017. The following sectors were investigated: F3B, F3C, G3H, H3A, H3E and H3F. In sectors F3B and F3C, the excavation continued of a quadrangular structure delimited by a low dry-stone wall, and of the immediately adjacent area. Successive floor levels were removed inside the structure and a small channel was exposed in the southern part, which probably relates to the construction of a wall in perishable materials. Outside the structure, there were traces of the accumulation of a series of levels coeval with the occupation of the structure. In sectors G3H, H3A, H3E, and H3F the levels relating to traces of burnt structures and an adjacent area were investigated. Evidence of the effects of a fire were identified in previous years, but this season’s excavations revealed, in H3A and in the northern part of H3E, the base floor, interrupted to the north by a large trench caused by the mechanical digger in 1979. Numerous fragments of baked clay and elements of carbonised wood had fallen onto the floor; these were removed for analysis. The flooe was bordered by a slight hollow. The creation of this floor appears to have cut the earlier levels. To the southeast of it, in sectors H3E and H3F, underneath abundant baked clay remains (perhaps from a collapsed wall), several parallel rows of medium sized stones were exposed. Therefore, in this was probably also a covered structure, but the interpretation of its function is made difficult by the presence of these rows of stones, for which no parallels have been found in coeval contexts. The south-western part of H3E and the part of G3H not removed by the digger in 1979 seem to have been occupied by an open area, with the presence of small hearths and holes, perhaps for posts, but whose distribution in plan is difficult to interpret. The materials recovered include Mycenaen type pottery, a fragment from a worked bone disc decorated with small circles and a large pin with a globular head.