The site of Sammardenchia is situated on high ground in central Friuli constituted by tectonic rises only a few metres higher than the surrounding plain, and extends over an area of 650 hectares. Surface survey carried out in 1980 documented the presence of c.900 archaeological structures, concentrated mainly at Cûeis. Excavations so far have revealed cylindrical pits, cavities of irregular form, poly-lobate structures, post-holes, drainage channels, a probable water cistern and a double defensive ditch surrounding one of the settlements. The enormous quantity of lithic and ceramic finds attests contacts with the Padovan culture at Fiorano and w the Adriatic-Balkan culture at Danilo. Material from both cultures was often found within the same archaeological structure. A substantial amount of material culture was recovered: of particular interest are red and black painted vases, four-legged vases and a group of about ten figurines. One of the largest collections of green, levigated stone artefacts comes from Sammardenchia. These include axes, hatchets, chisels and large rings, the raw material for which was for the most part not local. Also present were obsidian artefacts from Lipari. The palaeo-botanical evidence attests a developed agriculture with the cultivation of various types of cereals and legumes and the collection of wild fruits. About twenty C14 samples were taken on the site. The results indicate prolonged occupation during the Neolithic period from c.5500BC – 4700B.C. (Andrea Pessina, Giuseppe Muscio)