_Sector E, July 2008_ Sector E, opened in 2007, covers a total surface area of 126 m2. Investigation of the late Middle Bronze Age levels continued. US 3013 was removed. This layer contained an amber bead, a fragment from a cup of the so-called Isolone type, a small deer horn spatula with a distinct handle and quadrangular blade, a spindle whorl, the base decorated with an incised “wolf’s tooth” pattern and a number of handles from cups-ladles. US 3013 overlay US 3006 in which a heaped patch of yellow silt and gravel appeared. It was characterised by the presence of flat elements of baked clay spread with white pigment on its surface. At a few metres to the east, along the southern excavation edge, another heaped feature appeared, probably the remains of the disintegration of silt-gravel structures overlying US 3006=3044 and 3015. In US 3039 a deer horn comb was found, of the type with a small pierced quadrangular handle and surfaces decorated with dice eyes. This artefact dated to the central phases of the middle Bronze Age. At the base of US 3015 a layer of brown sand emerged together with an area of loose gravel in which there were three holes. In layer 3006/3044 a comb, two small fragmentary spatulas and a long punch all made of deer horn, a stone sharpener, several fragments of high-handled cups and of Isolone type cups. Below US 3006 layers of dark brown peat appeared (US 3041/3054) together with a deposit of hazelnut coloured compact silt (3061) which seemed to be delimited by large stones. At this stage of the excavations the levels of deposition (US 3065 and 3041) were exposed, whilst the underlying layers began to appear (US 3062: gravely layer, US 3043: layer of charcoal-rich silt and yellow sand, US 3057: yellow gravely deposit and US 3058: a layer of loose cobbles). US 3041 produced a crucible fragment and the nozzle from a bellows, a triangular bronze dagger blade with a simple trapezoidal base that had two large thick rivets with large domed heads, whilst a third smaller rivet was situated at the centre of the base, circa twenty handles from capeduncole (one-handled cups or bowls) most with lateral conical expansions and with truncated horn appendages, some of which of the crescent type. The dagger and the handles indicate a date within the central phases of the middle Bronze Age (BM II B). The main stratigraphic unit below was a layer of very dark silt (US 3043) with frequent charcoal inclusions. This overlay a level of loose sand (US 3040). Also in the zone beside sector C there was a dump of material (US 3070) comprised of large deposits of ash and numerous pottery fragments, which filled a hollow in the layer below that was marked by a slippage of pottery. Among the finds there was an amber bead. The US 3043 produced about fifteen handles of the type with lateral expansions and truncated horns and two handles with slightly expanded points and one “elbow” type handle which seemed to date to an earlier phase. A preliminary analysis of the finds and of the stratigraphic sequence in sector E seems to indicate the existence of the remains of structures and levels datable to an advanced phase of the middle Bronze Age, in particular the BM II B. This dating is supported by the typology of the high handles, most of which with lateral expansions in the form of animal snouts and the bronze dagger of the Bacino Marina type from US 3010. Moreover, the truncated horn-shaped handles were rarer and axe-shaped handles were absent (only one example was found in the agricultural soil).

The 2011 campaign, 11th July-5th August, concentrated on sectors D and E. Sector D, close to the marsh at the centre of the basin and to the point where core samples were taken for paleo-environmental analyses, was opened in 2007 in order to check the sequence of horizons seen in the core samples. It is a small trench (5 x 5m), in which digging is rendered extremely difficult by considerable water infiltration. The excavation investigated the roof of the deposit, identifying a series of layers characterised by a slight east-west slope, probably a bank area where a number of manmade gravel dumps were noted. The size of the area limited the understanding of structural aspects, but the removal of US 4012 revealed a large number of timber elements: vertical posts (many with the tops bent and broken) and a jumble of overlying horizontal timbers. The investigated levels belong to a late middle Bronze Age horizon (BM III). This is of interest within the context under examination and within the entire Benacense region where this horizon is scantly documented by stratigraphic excavations. The dating was provided by a bronze axe with bent over wings and some pottery (including a saddleback handle with semicircular expansion, a saddleback handle with truncated horn-shaped appendages). Sector E was opened in 2007, between sectors A/Perini and C, in order to link the sequences. The 2011 campaign was limited to the western part of the sector, closest to sector A (quadrants D-M/19-26, covering a total of 64 m2). Levels interpreted as land reclamation were excavated, characterised by cobbles in a matrix of material brought to the site, and numerous finds including pottery vessels broken in situ. Below these levels, the deposit took on an anaerobic character. In fact, the heads of vertical posts began to emerge. An alignment of posts was uncovered in quadrants D21-23, whose association may be confirmed by dendrochronological analyses. The preliminary dating for the contexts with significant quantities of finds is as follows: US 3073 was an assemblage characterised by a prevalence of truncated horn-shaped handles, attributable to the BM IIA. This horizon had already been identified at Lavagnone (sector B), but in sector E it was more substantial and the stratigraphy more reliable. The layer below marked a transition phase BM IIA/BM I: the truncated horn-shaped handles were associated with earlier typologies: axe-shaped and T-shaped handles. Also present: a fragment of a capeduncola cup with fan-shaped handle (parallels known south of the Po: Chiaravalle della Colomba –PC, La Braglia –RE, or with axe-shaped handles of the Monate-Mercurago type, datable to the BM I) and a wall fragment from a biconical vase with a very large button-handle, an element previously thought to be exclusive to the early Bronze Age.

The 2012 campaign undertaken by the Università degli Studi di Milano concentrated on sectors D and E, where the latest occupation phases in the basin were examined. Only limited evidence of the full and final middle Bronze Age horizons emerging in these sectors had previously been documented at Lavagnone. In fact, these horizons had only previously been seen in heavily eroded surface levels by the north-western shore (sector B) and in a small trench towards the south-eastern shore. Generally, there is little stratigraphic evidence in the entire Lake Garda area for these phases; therefore the present research could contribute to the formation of a more complete picture of population around the lake in the phases following the very well documented early Bronze Age. The context produced finds which establish a connection with the Padovan Terramare _facies_. The context in sector D (5 x 5 m) was anaerobic and heavily waterlogged due to the vicinity of the residual marsh. The investigation looked at a series of levels with a brown, peaty silt matrix containing abundant broken timbers and, sometimes having pottery fragments at the surface. In the westernmost part of the excavation area, the deposit sloped from east to west and was characterised by alternating layers of yellowish-grey coarse sand, rich in macro plant remains (cornel, acorns, blackberry....) and sandy-silt layers. The anaerobic conditions guarantee the optimal conservation of the organic finds and timber elements, many of which from posts. The heads of these posts were broken and heavily slanted, almost horizontal, while the real inclination of about 45° was documented in the layers below. The intervention in sector E investigated an area of 64 m2, investigating a series of extensive stratigraphic contexts, constituted by an organic silt matrix containing large numbers of cobbles. The contexts also produced fragmented pottery still _in situ_ and abundant faunal remains. A preliminary interpretation identified these contexts as material used for a land reclamation intervention. As the excavation deepened, the deposit became anaerobic. In fact, at the end of the season the heads of numerous posts emerged from these peaty layers. The timber elements were sub-vertical or slightly leaning south to north and belonged to structures emerging from underlying levels not in phase with the exposed surfaces. Parallel alignments of these timbers were documented but their effective association can only be established by detailed dendrochronological analyses.

The 2013 campaign continued the University of Milan’s investigation of the later occupation phases in the basin, datable to the middle Bronze Age. The excavations concentrated on Sector D (in the territory of Lonato) at the centre of the basin, and Sector E (in the territory of Desenzano), facing towards the north-eastern lake shore. In Sector D, a cumuliform deposit (US 4016) was excavated that contained a large amount of occupation evidence (pottery fragments from reconstructable vases, faunal remains some of which calcined, concentrations of seeds including cornel and hazelnut), and indirect evidence for the presence of raised dwellings that are typically associated with this type of material. In fact, the well-preserved remains of _in situ_ palafitte structures have been found in sector D, and it is hoped that dendrochronology will help to provide an absolute date for the complex. The vessel forms were attributed to the Middle Bronze II A or the Middle Bronze I, given the presence of T-shaped and axe-shaped handles, and carenated cups or bowls with horizontal parallel grooves below the rim. In sector E, the area at the edge of sector C was investigated, where work had been suspended in 2008. A stratified cumuliform deposit was also present here, formed by yellowish layers with a sand and gravel matrix alternating with greyish-brown layers with a silty matrix, containing an abundance of archaeological materials (us 3099-3100, 3101, 3102). This was probably a localized dump which could only be partially investigated due to its proximity to the excavation edge. The structural evidence in the horizons examined was difficult to interpret. During the 2013 campaign, the excavation of a series of cobblestones spreads used for land reclamation), which ran lengthwise across almost the entire sector was completed (us 3073, us 3074, us 3083. They were partially excavated in 2011 and 2012. The typology of the finds was uniform and characterized by a prevalence of truncated horn-shaped handles datable to the Middle Bronze IIA.

In 2014, the University of Milan’s department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage continued work on the Bronze Age site of Lavagnone at Desenzano del Garda. Firstly, work to improve and render the area safe was undertaken aimed towards the protection and conservation of the context, and in preparation for possible actions to enhance the site and open it to visitors. In fact, since 2011 the site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List of Alpine Prehistoric Palafitte Sites (site identification code: IT-LM-01). Secondly, excavations continued in sector E. Excavations took place in the northernmost part of the sector, with the aim of bringing the entire excavation area into phase and link up with the adjacent sector C. Therefore, work was undertaken in quadrants D-M 27 – 38, an overall area of 64 m2. A series of layers characterised by cobbles and abundant materials (pottery and faunal remains) were excavated, probably evidence of land reclamation. In the south-western part of the sector, excavated in previous years, these layers sealed the anaerobic peat (gyttja – lacustrine mud)) deposit from which the heads of the posts from an underlying palafitte emerged. The layers produced finds attributable to the early phases of the Middle Bronze Age.

This season the excavations on the Bronze Age palafitte site of Lavagnone ( a UNESCO World Heritage site) took place in two separate sectors. In sector D, a swampy area close to the centre of the basin, the mid Late Bronze Age (BM3) and Early Bronze Age (BM1) levels were investigated. The link between these two horizons remains to be clarified as the sequence may mark a break in occupation in correspondence with the full Middle Bronze Age (BM2A) period. As regards the BM1, the investigation continued of a dump of material identified and only partially explored in 2013, formed by structural timber posts, probably of the palafitte type, currently being analysed and dated. The accumulation presented several stratigraphic contexts (us 4016, us 4027, us 4026), and was characterised by abundant occupation evidence: pottery, seeds and faunal material such as food remains and charcoal. A preliminary interpretation dates the entire accumulation to the BM1 phase. In order to investigate the BM3 phase, it was decided to extend the trench towards the east, increasing the area by about 10 m2, and explore the most superficial and latest deposits, as this phase is, to date, only known at Lavagnone in sector D and with some slight traces in sector E. In sector E, the campaign concentrated on completing the excavation of the mid Early Bronze Age deposits in the north-eastern part of the trench, characterised by a substantial zone with cobblestones and interpreted as a land reclamation intervention, so as to reach the same phase across the entire excavation area and link up with adjacent sector C. The peaty gyttja layer (mud formed by partially decayed peat) was exposed across the entire area, which deepened substantially. The heads of posts from an underlying palafitte emerged and remain to be excavated, but were observed over an area of almost 130 m2. Secondly, work was carried out on the western edge of the sector, where the excavation edge was badly deteriorated, and the section in danger of collapsing (sect. 3000). This made it possible to investigate a context of the advanced Middle Bronze Age, characterised by two lenses of yellow silt bedded on a small level of charcoal (us 3111), interpretable as residual patches of dwellings situated at ground level.

This season, Milan University’s excavations concentrated exclusively on sector D, towards the centre of the ancient basin of the Lavagnone, in an area that is usually still marshy. However, this year, as in the previous one, the environmental conditions were exceptional: a notable lowering of the water-table simplified the excavation logistics and, in particular made it possible to deepen the investigation of the stratigraphy only making occasional use of the water-scooping machine. The aim was to complete the excavation of a cumuliform deposit (ES 4016) dating to the early middle Bronze Age. The deposit was formed by a series of thin undisturbed layers in which lenses of charcoal and ash, food remains (fauna), seeds and botanical remains, sometimes burnt, accumulations of large pottery fragments, often reconstructible, were present. In addition, there were numerous structural timber elements, in both horizontal and vertical position. This deposit can be interpreted as a series of dumps from dwellings raised above ground level. The context, entirely datable to the BM 1, differs from other coeval complexes at Lavagnone in its structural characteristics of palafitte type: structures at ground level in horizons Lav. 5-6 documented by Perini’s excavations in sector I and the materials in secondary deposition used to reclaim the area documented by Milan University’s excavations in sectors A, B and E. Secondly, a deep trench was opened in order to check the characteristics of the lower part of the archaeological deposit and of any cultural horizons present. Although of limited size, natural was reached at c. -4.70 - -4.80 m below present ground level. Given the scarce quantity of materials found and the deposit’s characteristics, it is suggested that in this area corresponding with the shore of the ancient Lavagnone basin the first occupation documented by substantial anthropic activity dates to the BM 1, and that the early Bronze Age is only attested by sporadic materials in anaerobic levels formed by thick layers of gyttja. This deep excavation brought to light several exceptional timber finds: two hollow oak tree trunks, interpretable as canoes, found next to each other in a vertical position among the palafitte structures. In one of the canoes, there was a plank and an oar. In addition, a complete and unused yoke was found. The exceptional nature of these finds suggests that a more extensive area should be excavated in order to acquire further elements that will aid in the understanding of this sector of the basin within the overall picture of palafitte settlement at Lavagnone.