The excavations in the locality of Case Nuove, Cinigiano (GR), are part of “The Roman Peasant Project”, developed by the universities of Pennsylvania, Cambridge and Siena. A tank lined with _opus signinum_ was uncovered next to which were two post holes and a rock-cut tank associated with other negative evidence. These elements suggest the presence of a piece of machinery close to the tank, perhaps a press. North of the rock-cut tank there was a cut interpreted as a _dolium_ housing. Although these features were not linked by stratigraphic relationships it is thought that they were all part of the same production structure. Next to the rock-cut tank was a silo lined with stones. An _opus signinum_ work surface, probably for the grinding, chopping of an agricultural product, was in phase with the silo. A circular cistern for rain water collection was identified at the southern end of the excavation. At the northern edge of the excavation area a large oval cut came to light. This contained layers of material interpreted as the waste material resulting from the construction of the diverse structures constituting the site, and in part relating to the occupation of the area. Further south was a large quadrangular cut which intercepted the clay layers of the hill. It was filled with successive layers of tile and cobbles, whilst the blackish upper levels were rich in charcoal. The original function of this deep and regular cut remains unclear. It is suggested that as it cut into the clay layers it may have been used for extracting the clay used in the pisè constructions, as a matrix for mortar or other construction-related purposes. The absence of occupation levels, or any stratigraphy placing the above structures into relationship, due to recent ploughing and erosion, meant that the only dating elements were the fills of these features. Preliminary results suggest that the site’s foundation and major period of use occurred between the late 1st century B.C. and the first half of the 1st century A.D. The cistern contained material datable to the second half of the 2nd century A.D. The fill of the quadrangular cut was the only area of the site characterised by the presence of a few examples of ARS, mainly datable to the first half of the 5th century A.D., and an assemblage of red-slipped tableware, produced regionally, and cooking wares. During Phase 1 (1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.), the site was probably constituted by the cistern, work surface, tank surrounded by the _dolium_ and possible piece of machinery, as well as the silo. This may represent a small scale production of a liquid product necessitating the use of water; perhaps an oil, deriving from hazelnuts, hemp or another plant. In the late antique period the structures were in a state of abandonment and filled with detritus.

This season’s excavations concentrated on exposing the walls and floors along the corridor between the bath complex, denominated _balneum_ 1, and the cisterns with the aim of consolidating the structures and beginning restoration work. The main objectives of this campaign were to understand the extension, topographical layout, and architecture of the great complex during the period of its use between the mid and late imperial period (2nd – 4th centuries A.D.), as well as eventual reuse and transformations that took place during the late antique period (5th – 7th centuries A.D.). In the church area, the aim was to uncover evidence of a church pre-dating the Romanesque structure (12th century). Between the late 1st/early 2nd century and the 4th century A.D., there were two coeval bath complexes on the site of Santa Marta, whose presence can be justified by suggesting that the settlement was situated along an important route between the coast and inland. The need to build two complexes, which probably covered over 900 m2, could have a twofold explanation: the co-existence of private baths alongside the public structure or two public baths, one for men and the other for women. Both _balnea_ had rooms with hot air and hot, warm, and cold water, in addition to reception and service rooms. An area of at least 160 m2 was probably covered by mosaic floors, of which a part survives. The exceptional nature of Roman and late a ntique Santa Marta was confirmed by the finds study. The faunal analyses revealed a local community that between the 1st and early 7th centuries A.D. had a privileged diet with large amounts of protein provided by pigs, cattle and sheep/goat. The use of game was also substantial, at least between the 1st and 5th centuries. The pottery shows this to have been a privileged site: the only one in inland rural southern Tuscany that had access to Mediterranean imports until the 6th and 7th centuries. These included tablewares made in Tunisia, wine and oil in amphorae from the Eastern Mediterranean and southern Italy. Lastly, the presence of wine amphorae produced in the hinterland of Santa Marta and well-documented on this site attests the importance of viticulture in the area even in the Roman period. The excavations in area 5000 concentrated on the exterior of the Romanesque church, along its northern perimeter revealing, below the layers relating to the construction of the 12th century church, part of an earlier religious building. This church, datable to between the 8th and 10th centuries A.D., had at least two apses, possibly even three. Interestingly, the interior of the smaller apse was faced with red, ochre, and blue painted plaster. The first burials belonging to an early medieval cemetery were intercepted around the church. Some of the tombs were in privileged positions.