The excavation area is situated on the left side of a small valley leading off from the right side of the Valle della Mola. It lies within the municipality of Roncà in the locality of Costo, at about 205 m a.s.l. The research programmed for 2010 aimed to trace, through stratigraphic excavation, the important deposit of molluscs and marine mammals of the Bartonian period (middle-upper Eocene), known as the “Roncà horizon”. The paleontological excavation proper was preceded by a series of test pits, within the area identified previously, in order to identify the fossiliferous deposit with greater precision. The first excavation campaign was undertaken between 15th-20th November, involving a number of fronts varying between about 2 and 15 m in length and 1 to 3 m in depth. Initially area A was cleaned by the removal of soils and other surface detritus. At the end of the first day, given the impossibility of reaching the Roncà horizon due to the depth of the detritus and risk of collapse from the rock wall above, it was decided to interrupt work in area A and to continue with surface investigations which gave good results. By the basalt cascade/waterfall (area B), along the nature trail and to the side of the lay-by, there was an outcropping of a calcareous-cinereous horizon rich in nummulites and gastropods (Campanile, Velates, etc.), often of large dimensions. Therefore, two main excavation areas were identified: area A (situated uphill from the country road/track) and Area B (by the waterfall). _Area A_ Deposit of fine and incoherent sediment, alternating with basalt blocks derived from processes of fracturing and gravitational accumulation. Bioclasts (mainly gastropods and bivalves) were found in the loose sediment and, due to washing away, in the hill deposit below. The bioclasts (of centrimetrical dimensions) were well-preserved (presence of shell and ornamentation) and did not present deformations. This indicates a low-energy sedimentary environment and a weak lithostatic load during the phase of diagenisis. _Area B_ Two layers were identified. Layer 1: silty limestone with occasional bioclasts and fragments of yellowish organic (plant) remains. Heavily fractured. Thickness >60 cm. Gradually transition into layer 2 through intercalations of clayey levels. In areas A and B rock samples were taken for thin-section analysis. A preliminary analysis of the paleontological content showed that almost all of the finds were molluscs (gastropods and bivalves) and Foraminifers (Nummulites brongniarti). A dental plaque, plant remains, echinoderms and crustaceans were also found. Overall 571 paleontological finds were recovered from the excavation in the locality of Valles della Chiesa.

The 2011 excavation area was situated a few hundred metres from that of 2010 (area A). The area was identified following a series of surveys undertaken in previous months in collaboration with the Associazione Paleontologica Val Nera di Roncà. The excavation had a front of circa 5 m and a depth of between 1 and 2 m. Work began with the cleaning of the excavation area and the removal of a substantial amount of detrital material. The initial stratigraphy of the section was updated continually as the work proceeded and new elements were uncovered. The position of the layers: direction of dip 53°- slope 7°. From bottom to top the stratigraphic sequence was as follows: Layer 0: palaeo-soil constituted by reddish clay and nodules of calcium carbonate (caliche). Fragments of marine organisms present. Thickness: >60 cm. Layer 1: palaeo-soil of reddish clay. Fragments of marine organisms present (mainly ostrea). Thickness: 40 cm. Interpretation of layers 0 and 1: alteration (mechanical breakdown + chemical alteration) of what was originally a marine deposit occurring once the deposit was in subaerial conditions. Layer 2: yellowish/greyish massive limestone containing abundant nummulites. At the base these were deposited in great quantity along the length of the layer, at the roof they were fewer in number and scattered. Thickness: 65 cm. Interpretation: transgression. Layer 3: greyish massive limestone containing nummulites and micro-foraminifers (not abundant) and abundant molluscs (bivalves and gastropods). Presence of bio-erosions in the lower part. Thickness: 50 cm. Layer 4: yellowish massive limestone with abundant nummulites. Thickness: 45 cm (up to ground level). Rock samples were taken from the excavation area. A preliminary analysis of the palaeontological content showed that almost all finds were molluscs (gastropods and bivalves) and foraminifers (Nummulites brongniarti). Overall, 164 palaeontological finds were recovered, almost all from layer 3.

This was the fourth campaign in the locality of Valle della Chiesa di Roncà and the second campaign at Cà Tessari. The investigations were undertaken along the main line of the Valle della Chiesa and in particular the stretch crossing the locality of Cà Tessari. The site extends along the riverbed for an overall length of about 305 m and width of about 5 m. The site’s co-ordinates fall between Lat. 45.488776° - Long. 11.292974° and Lat. 45.494698° - Long. 11.294002°. Contrary to the investigations carried out along the line of the torrent (surface survey), excavation was possible in the locality of Cà Tessari (ca. 144 m a.s.l.). A trench was opened that linked trenches excavated in the preceding year to several outcrops of basalt breccias and nummulitic limestone emerging along the active bed. After long and meticulous work it was possible to link the various outcrops and therefore integrate the data collected by A. Massalongo in his work of 1857 entitled “Nuova scoperta di piante fossili nella provincia veronese” published in “Notizie scientifiche, letterarie, artistiche dell’Ibis”, pp. 144-145, Cirelli Ed., Estratto dalla Specola d’Italia, Anno I, n. 9. The stratigraphic recording was undertaken in collaboration with Dr. Guido Roghi of the CNR ‘Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse’ at Padova. The collected data has yet to be processed. However, the basalt breccias linking the 2012 excavation and the outcrops in the riverbed was characterised by a minute granulometry with the presence of occasional fossil remains (mainly small bivalves and red algae). The layers’ attitude was direction 34°; slope 8°. At the base of the volcanic breccias there was an increase in the granulometry and in the number of fossils. These were mainly bivalves and small gastropods, some of which appeared to belong to a rather rare species. The volcanic breccias lay directly on an erosion surface that presented the following attitude: 11° direction; 40° slope. The erosion surface lay within a dolomitised nummulitic limestone, at least 1 m thick. Rock samples were collected from the excavation area.

This was the fifth excavation season on the site of Valle della Chiesa di Roncà. Research was undertaken along the main axis of the Valle della Chiesa with particular attention to the stretch crossing the locality of Cà Tessari. The excavations produced numerous small bivalves and gastropods, some of which seem to belong to rather rare species. Unfortunately, the nature of the gravel makes the conservation of the finds and rock samples very difficult as they tend to crumble despite rapid interventions with Paraloid. Rock samples were taken from the excavation area.

This was the sixth excavation season in the locality of Valle della Chiesa di Roncà. Research was undertaken along the main axis of the valley with particular regard to the sector crossing the locality of Cà Tessari. Surveys/ inspections and sampling also took place. The excavation and survey data has yet to be processed although a certain similarity between the outcrop in the picnic area at Valle della Chiesa and the stratigraphy of earlier excavations at Monte Duello (territory of Montecchia di Crosara) was noted. The faunal associations and modes of fossilization of the abundant remains of bivalves and gastropods in both places were also very similar. Representative rock samples were taken in the excavation area.

This was the seventh campaign in the Valle della Chiesa di Roncà. The research took place along the main branch of the Valle della Chiesa, in particular the stretch crossing the locality of Cà Tessari. A surface survey was carried out along the torrent, but at Cà Tessari it was possible to continue the research by excavating. This was the fifth season of excavations here. The excavated layers produced numerous small bivalves and gastropods. Some of these remains seemed to belong to rather rare species. Unfortunately, the nature of the brecciola made the conservation of the fossils and rock samples particularly difficult, as they tend to crumble despite treatment with Paraloid. At the end of the excavation, the trench was back-filled and the detritus spread according to the original morphology.