Excavations have restarted of the theatre at _Teanum Sidicinum_ have restarted. A pilot campaign of geophysical survey (resistivity) was undertaken on the terrace behind the _cavea_, which ascertained the presence of multi-stratified structures. Often on diverging alignments, the structures will be looked at with the aim of identifying a _porticus pone scaenam_. In the area of the _summa cavea_, where W. Johannowsky had supposed the existence of a sanctuary in _summa gradinatione_, a well organised architectural complex of great interest was discovered. The study of the considerable number of architectural elements recovered from the theatre’s _scaena_ during past excavations is of great importance, particularly in view of the possibility of an anastylosis of the stage façade being undertaken by the architect Heinz Beste as part of an agreement stipulated with the Deutsch Archaeologische Institut of Rome. A small modern farm house standing on the seating tiers was restored and the medieval levels that had formed in the _cavea_ were also removed. These layers were rich in glazed ware, archaic majolica and banded pottery datable to between the 11th and 12th century. A small kiln for tile and brick production also dated to this period, as did the creation of terraces for agricultural purposes in the _media cavea_. This was achieved through the construction of a containing wall and the removal of the rubble of the ancient structure.

Completion of the excavation of the theatre’s _cavea_ confirmed the existence of a medieval occupation phase. The radial walls appeared intentionally razed to a uniform height, the levels of fill producing a vast quantity of banded pottery and fragments of glazed ware and proto-majolica. Moreover, the floor level was created through the construction of a containing wall along the edge of the _cavea_ reusing fragments of Roman walls. Two small kilns, of medieval date, for the production of tiles and imbrices were identified and excavated. Immediately below the medieval occupation levels collapses relating to the structure came to light both between the radial walls and in the area south-east of the upper ambulatory. In this area, where the theatre no longer abutted the hillside behind but had an external façade with arches, the excavation uncovered the collapse of the vaults and the floor of the upper ambulatory. The _cavea_, excavated down to the level of the dividing wall between the _media_ and _summa cavea_, was better preserved in the lower part. Although the facings had been completely removed, it was still possible to read the positions of the steps separating the wedge-shaped sectors of the _cavea_ and the sequence of the seating tiers. Also preserved was a floor in limestone blocks from one of the _vomitoria_ opening onto the _cavea_. Lastly, the excavation brought to light the front part of the vault of the southern _parados_ and the walls flanking it. In particular, in a gap in the _opus testaceum_ masonry of the innermost wall, part of the _analemma_ was identified. Of Republican date, it was faced with large grey tufa blocks showing signs of heavy damage, probably caused when the structure was robbed in the medieval period.

At the end of July the excavation of the theatre was completed, with the total removal of the medieval fill, almost down to the orchestra floor level. The abundant pottery recovered dated mostly to between the 11th and 13th century. The presence of significant quantity of lumps of burnt clay (relating to the predominant production of brick and tile, and, in a lesser quantity than the table wares), probably production waste, suggested that the kiln activity, seen last year, was probably the reason why the _cavea_ was filled in. The excavation revealed the good state of preservation of the structure’s western side, starting from the _kerkydes_ between the _media_ and _ima cavea_, where conspicuous remains of the marble facing on the seating and praecinctiones were still in situ. Fragments were found which have helped to clarify the reconstruction of the decorative scheme of the _scaenae_ frons, and of the space in front of the _versurae_, like the capital of a semi-pilaster decorated with victories and trophies. Between the 7th and 9th century, a building site was set up on the _orchestra_ which undertook robbing activities, demonstrating that the theatre had become a sort of quarry for the reworking of coloured marble and the reduction of white marble into lime. The columns, architraves and capitals were sorted into uniform groups by type and size. Amongst the heaped up material were sculptural fragments, architectural elements and even fragments from inscriptions. The latter included the dedication of a monument, partially abraded, due to _damnatio memoriae_, which seemed to come from a monument celebrating Septimius Severus’ powerful Praetorian Prefect _Gaius Fulvius Plauzianus_. Finally, two trenches dug in the area of the portico _pone scaenam_ ascertained the existence of, and above all the position of, the floor level at three metres below the orchestra floor of imperial date.

This project is using geophysical survey to investigate the nature of the archaeological remains in the vicinity of the ‘Sanctuary of Loreto’. Founded in the 4th century BC, Teano formed a major point in the communication between the valleys of Southern Lazio and the Plains of Campania. The most prominent archaeological remains of the pre-Roman and Roman town, are the theatre and amphitheatre, located beyond the area of the modern town. Surveys carried out over the past 3 years have revealed a wealth of information about the layout and fabric of the town, including the discovery of a second amphitheatre and temple. See also http://www.fastionline.org/micro_view.php?)item_key=fst_cd&fst_cd=AIAC_1868.

_Teanum Sidicinum_ (modern Teano) is situated on a rock outcrop on the slopes of the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina, about 30km to the north west of Caserta in Campania, Italy. Geophysical survey in the form of magnetometer survey was undertaken at the Roman town by teams from The British School at Rome and The University of Southampton over a period of 5 consecutive seasons, starting in 2002. The project was commissioned by Soprintedenza Archaeologica di Caserta e Benevento, in particular Dott. Francesco Sirano and funded by the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, the University of Cambridge Faculty of Classics, the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies and Southampton University. Three main areas were surveyed. At the sanctuary site of Loreto, a small temple was discovered in the first season with further work in the next seasons locating a street grid system with buildings as well as a potential temple or sanctuary compound with processional way. A striking oval feature, the remains of an amphitheatre was located (Have taken this out because we are not sure what they are and we do not want too much interest in them before we are sure. Sounds a little odd but we are trying to protect them in case they are and stops tomb raiders). The survey undertaken around the extant remains of the theatre revealed insights to the town plan immediately surrounding it, with various buildings and building complexes being identified. At La Trinitá, a complex townscape with a dual grid system was established by the divergent alignments of roads, with structures aligned along both orientations along the road network. See also http://www.fastionline.org/micro_view.php?)item_key=fst_cd&fst_cd=AIAC_1868.