The Grotta delle Nottole is situated on Monte Nerone, in the western Marche. The interest in this site came out of the desire to understand aspects the rituals undertaken by the ancient Bronze Age populations in natural cavities. The first research was undertaken between 2001 and 2005. After a period of interruption, work resumed in 2013. This cavern is part of the group of caves in the Sentino gorge, with elements suggesting relationships with the Grotta Nuova _fascies_ along the mid-Tyrrhenian belt, with use until the late Bronze Age. The cave was used periodically, and there were no burials or occupation evidence, which together with the presence of numerous hearths in a chamber dominated by dripping waters, suggests that it had a cult function.

This was the second excavation campaign in the Grotta delle Nottole in the locality of Fondarca, near Peia, in the territory of Cagli (PE – Marche). The grotto, situated on Monte Nerone in the northern Marche, is an important context for evidence about the natural cavities used for ritual purposes by the Bronze Age populations of central Italy. Following research undertaken by the University of Tuscia between 2001 and 2005, research resumed in 2013. The excavations confirmed that this cavity was associated with the group of caves in the Sentino gorge, with elements suggesting relationships in the context of the Grotta Nuova _facies_ along the mid-Tyrrhenian strip and use until the Late Bronze Age. The 2015 campaign, which aimed to extend the excavation area, confirmed the periodic occupation of the cave and the absence of burials and dwelling structures. The presence of numerous hearths in a chamber dominated by dripping water and the presence of fauna constituted by sheep/goat, cattle, and in one case bear, with clear butchery marks for the selective use of the meat, suggest the cave was used for cult purposes. It is likely that this natural chamber, with its particularly evocative context, was chosen for occasional feasting activities, probably in specific periods of the year. The archaeo-faunal and archaeo-botanical analyses will further clarify these aspects and help define the cave’s actual function. The modest amount of pottery found covered a period between the Early Bronze and Late Bronze Age, but the 2015 excavations produced the only body sherd with a “hollow bugna”, a profile typical of Copper Age vases. This could indicate an earlier use of the cave.

Tra il 19 giugno e il 10 luglio 2016 è stata condotta la terza campagna di scavo nella Grotta delle Nottole in località Fondarca, presso Pieia nel Comune di Cagli (PE – Marche). La grotta, collocata sul Monte Nerone nelle Marche settentrionali, costituisce un contesto importante per la conoscenza delle cavità naturali utilizzate per scopi rituali dalle popolazioni dell’età del Bronzo in Italia centrale. Dopo le prime ricerche condotte tra il 2001 e il 2005 dall’Università della Tuscia, le indagini furono riprese nel 2013. Gli scavi hanno confermato che questa cavità si pone in relazione al gruppo di grotte della gola del Sentino, con elementi che suggeriscono rapporti nell’ambito della _facies_ di Grotta Nuova lungo la fascia medio-tirrenica con una utilizzazione fino al Bronzo recente. La campagna 2016, come quella del 2015, ha avuto come obiettivo l’ampiamento dell’area di scavo, confermando la frequentazione periodica della grotta. Una nuova fascia di quadrati sono stati aperti sul fronte nord di scavo, verso la parte interna della cavità. Anche durante questa campagna non sono state messe in luce né sepolture né strutture abitative, mentre continuano ad essere documentati nuovi focolari, che rappresentano la caratteristica principali della grotta. Gli scavi hanno restituito quest’anno una esigua quantità di materiale archeologico. Le ceramiche sono molto frammentarie e solo pochi cocci risultano diagnostici. Anche la fauna è ridotta e riguarda ovicaprini. E’ probabile che questo ambiente naturale fosse stato scelto per incontri conviviali o per attività di culto svolte in forma periodica, probabilmente in specifici periodi dell’anno. Sebbene la campagna 2016 non abbia fornito particolari novità rispetto allo scorso anno, l’estensione dell’area esposta permette oggi di identificare con maggiore precisione le areee d’uso all’interno della grotta.

This was the third excavation campaign in the Grotta delle Nottole in the locality of Fondarca, near Pieia in the territory of Cagli (PE – Marche). The Grotta, situated on Monte Nerone in the northern Marche is an important context for what it can tell us about how Bronze Age populations in central Italy used natural cavities for ritual purposes. Following the first research undertaken by Tuscia University between 2001 and 2005, new investigations began in 2013. The excavations confirmed that this cavity can be associated with the group of caves in the Sentino gorge, with elements suggesting relationships within the period of the Grotta Nuova _facies_ reaching along the middle-Tyrrhenia strip and use until the end of the Recent Bronze Age. The 2016 campaign, like the previous one, aimed to extend the excavation area, confirming the periodic use of the cave. A new strip of quadrants was opened on the excavation’s north front, towards the inner part of the cavity. Like last year, no burials or residential structures were found, while new hearths continued to be documented and which represent the main features of the cave. A very small amount of archaeological material was recovered. The very fragmentary pottery included only a few diagnostic sherds. The faunal remains were also scarce and were all sheep-goat. It is possible that this natural environment was chosen for occasional convivial or ritual activities, probably at specific periods of the year. Although the 2016 campaign did not provide any new data with respect to last year, the extension of the exposed area made it possible to define further the areas of use within the grotto.

This was the fifth campaign of excavations at grotto delle Nottole in the locality of of Fondarca, near Pieia in the territory of Cagli (PE – Marche). The cavern, situated on Monte Nerone in the northern Marche, is an important context for knowledge of the use of natural cavities for ritual purposes in the Bronze Age in central Italy. After the first research between 2001 and 2005 undertaken by the University of Tuscia, investigations resumed in 2013. The cavity relates to the group of caves in the Sentino ravine, with elements suggesting contacts within the context of the Grotta Nuova culture along the middle Tyrrhenian. The grotto was in use from the Early to the Recent Bronze Age. Excavations have confirmed the periodic use of the cave, the lack of burials and lack of structures indicating the cave was inhabited, but the presence of numerous hearths in a space dominated by dripping water. The faunal remains comprised sheep-goat, bovines and one example of bear. There were clear butchery marks on the bones. A deep stratigraphic sequence confirmed occupation of the inner part of the entrance to the grotto in the Roman period. This use in the Roman period can be dated to between the 3rd century B.C. and the 3rd century A.D. The final days of the 2017 campaign identified prehistoric structures below the Roman layers. The 2018 campaign showed that the Roman sequence directly overlay the Bronze Age one. Further excavation took place in the quadrants in front of the entrance. This revealed for the first time a small stone structure, probably a foundation, at the centre of which there were two deep postholes surrounded by stones for support. Also present was a partially preserved, but clearly distinguishable, hearth situated at one end of the wall, on axis with the centre of the entrance. The hearth was made up of stones arranged in a circle and a thick layer of “baked clay” with a smooth surface altered by contact with fire. The limited amount of pottery recovered seems attributable to the early Bronze Age. The 2018 campaign did not enlarge the excavation area (almost 100 m2), but for the first time the earliest occupation level, constituted by well-defined structural elements (partially exposed), was reached.