In July 2007 investigations (begun in 2003) continued in contrada L’Amastuola in the territory of Crispiano (TA). This research, which continues that undertaken by Dr. Grazia Angela Mareggi of the Archaeological Superintendency of Apulia, began with a series of questions regarding the initial phase of Taranto’s expansion and the relationship between Greeks and the indigenous population, and the phases of expansion, decline and abandonment of the site of L’Amastuola. In 2007 an analysis of aerial photographs began, in collaboration with Sydney University, which aimed to check the results of the surface surveys undertaken in previous years. The following trenches were excavated on the southern part of the plateau, behind the Masseria L’Amastuola: 1. In 2004 the remains of a small structure (denominated house δ) were exposed in trench 1. The covered space of this structure measured only circa 8 m2, making it much smaller than the oikoi β and γ excavated by Dr. Maruggi. In 2005 this trench was enlarged and another house, denominated “ε”, at a right angle to house δ, was excavated. These two structures were separated by a very narrow lane. In 2005 most of house ε was excavated. During the 2007 campaign the beaten surfaces inside “ε” were investigated. Furthermore, a trial trench was put in to investigate the layers below the paved vestibulum and thus define the dating for the house. The trial trench confirmed the 6th century B.C. date suggested by preceding investigations when a cup with banded decoration also datable to the 6th century B.C. was found on the southern part of the beaten surface. 2. In 2003 and 2004 a large space (circa 5 x 8 m) was excavated. This was probably a courtyard closed on three sides. Work continued in this trench in 2005 and finished in 2007. A potter’s workshop with a series of kilns was brought to light. The stratigraphic analysis identified three successive phases….seems to be something missing here 3. During excavations in 2007 trench 5 was extended towards the south. This exposed both the south wall of the room and another wall on a different alignment, that is north-west/south-east, which joined the south wall. 4. In preceding years, in the north-eastern corner of trench 2, a deep blackish layer full of burnt material had been excavated. In 2007 the trench was extended to the north with the aim of investigating this layer. In the western part of this new trench (no. 6) the remains of two pottery kilns were found above the blackish layer. Unlike the kilns in trench 2, these did not rest on a foundation of stones. The northernmost kiln contained the base of an over-fired vase, possibly a 6th century B.C. stamnoid krater.

In 2008 work continued on the analysis of the aerial photographs aimed at checking the results of the surveys. The analysis not only confirmed the survey results, revealing new traces of sites that had already been identified, but also led to the identification of new sites. Stratigraphic excavations also continued on the southern part of the plateau, behind the Masseria. Three trenches were excavated: 1. From this trench, opened for the first time in 2005, it was hoped to gain information regarding the continuation to the east of the settlement on the central summit of the southern plateau. Here, three foundation walls of a rectangular room were uncovered. The 2008 excavations confirmed the interpretation, showing that this was a dwelling, internal measurements 3.7 x 3.4 m. It is comparable to the other oikoi excavated at L’Amastuola and is datable to the beginning of the 7th century B.C. or slightly later. The entrance to the oikos was on the eastern side. To the south of this oikos two round structures were identified, diameters 1.8 and 1.9 m, provisionally dated to the mid 7th century B.C. The presence of burnt grain in adjacent contexts suggests the structures were grain silos. 2. This was the trench with the potter’s workshop excavated in previous years. In the interior of the workshop further evidence of pottery production was uncovered including part of another kiln, belonging to the later phases (first half of the 5th century B.C.). In a third trench a large pit was excavated in which there were eight large, carefully-worked ashlar blocks of local stone (average length 1.70 m). They were in random positions, one on top of the other and had been thrown into the pit which was filled with a homogeneous soil. The great blocks seemed to have been part of a structure comparable to the aedicules in the cult area at Policoro (4th century B.C.). Considering that the latest finds from the pit dated to the end of the 3rd century B.C. it is suggested that the aedicule of L’Amastuola was demolished in this phase, and the individual stone blocks were then thrown into a purposely dug pit, perhaps in connection with the traumatic events regarding Taras in the post-Hannibalic period.