Vada Volaterrana, the port of Volterra in the Etruscan and Roman periods, was situated in correspondence with the modern hamlet of Vada. Here, in the locality of S. Gaetano, the area that was situated behind the port is being excavated. The investigations, undertaken in the 1970s by the local Gruppo Archeologico and from 1982 by Pisa University have uncovered a hut village dated to the 9th century lying below the following buildings: Small baths (A) Horrea (B) Building C Large Baths (D) Fountain (E) Schola (F) Building G Building H

The plan and function of the bath buildings (A and D), the horrea (B) and the fountain (E) situated by their entrance, were easily interpreted. On the contrary, building C presented considerable difficulties due to its bad state of preservation and the impossibility of investigating the surrounding area.

The interpretation of building F as the seat of the collegium, supported by the association of elements linked to cult aspects (altar/votive statue base; sacred pits), scenic/reception elements (monumental entrance and niches with statues; central courtyard with portico) and public/utilitarian elements (square rooms on the north and south sides).

The function of building G also seems to be linked to administration and reception and/or cult use.

Complex H showed sought-after monumentality and scenic effects. In its external courtyard productive and/or service activities took place. A kiln/dryer and a tile paved tank were found here.

The quarter was constructed as a substantially cohesive unit from the 1st century A.D. onwards. Over the centuries the buildings underwent changes in use, rebuilding and restructuring. It was definitively abandoned in the first decades of the 7th century A.D.

Intense commercial activity is documented throughout the life of the quarter. Goods from across the entire Mediterranean basin arrived here and local products destined for overseas trading also converged here.