L’intervento di scavo condotto nel 2005 e nel 2006 segue una serie di ricognizioni effettuate tra gli anni Ottanta e Novanta, in occasioni delle quali era stato raccolto materiale databile dal periodo tardo-etrusco (es. vasellame a vernice nera) alle soglie dell’età medievale. Era stato possibile proporre una cronologia di frequentazione del sito molto ampia e di interpretarlo come una villa di età tardo imperiale con impianti produttivi. Una prima fase di epoca imperiale avanzata prevede un impianto monumentale delle strutture, a cui vanno probabilmente riferite le _crustae_ marmoree e le tessere musive raccolte. Un secondo periodo di occupazione parcellizzata della villa tra l’epoca tardo-antica e altomedievale, ha comportato una defunzionalizzazione dei vani. E’ possibile che questi ambienti, una volta persa la loro funzione originale, siano serviti come ricovero provvisorio per persone e animali (ne sono indizio i numerosi punti di fuoco sparsi caoticamente per gli ambienti). Infine una terza fase, in epoca altomedievale, prevedeva l’occupazione a scopo “abitativo” del cd. vano E, ridotto in dimensioni per un muro di forma a L, con la funzione di piccolo portico coperto (con l’uso di materiale di reimpiego comprese tegole), per accedere ad un livello superiore attraverso la piccola scala realizzata tagliando il muro. Il _terminus post quem_ è dato dai materiali contenuti nella fossa obliterata del muro “a L”, databili nella prima metà del VII sec. d.C. In epoca contemporanea le profonde lavorazioni hanno livellato il deposito, tagliando strati e rasando muri ad una profondità media di 70-75 cm dal piano di campagna.

Excavations to date have identified an important part of the villa, probably relating to an area for _otium_ (relaxation), centred around a large triangular-shaped room with circular exedra at its corners. The discovery of this reception room, of which circa 80 m2 have been excavated, revealed the residential nature of the structure and the high cultural and economic capacity of those who lived there. Furthermore, study of the archaeological evidence revealed that, over the entire area excavated during the last three years, there were a succession of construction and occupation phases which transformed the appearance, plan and even the function of the villa. In fact, if the origins of the structure date to the beginning of the 3rd century A.D., as attested by the pottery and construction techniques, substantial restoration was undertaken between the end of the 4th and beginning of the 5th century A.D. It was in this phase that an intervention transformed the plan of the trilobed reception room. A study of the walls showed that originally the triangular room probably had six exedra arranged around a hexagonal space. It was only later that alternate semicircular niches were blocked and at the same time a new pavement was laid. However, the entire complex did not undergo the same type of restoration. In fact, it was ascertained that outside the trilobed room, in a wide area delimited by a system of curved walls which encompassed the latter, between the 6th and 7th century A.D. there was a change in the villa’s function. It seems that the villa lost its primarily residential function to take on a productive role. In this phase, which revealed materials of Lombard influence, the old rooms of the villa, their marble and mosaic decorations removed, were divided up and converted into cisterns for water (clay settling?) and workshops for pottery production, as attested by the find, in situ, of a pottery kiln.

The aims of the fourth excavation campaign on the villa at Aiano-Torraccia di Chiusi were as follows: 1. definition of the plan of the so-called “trilobed room” that was discovered in 2007; 2. finish excavating the cement floor in the latter; 3. increase the excavation area in order to gain a better understanding of the spatial arrangement of the rooms within the villa. 1. The large “trilobed room”, circa 120 m2 , had a triangular plan, each point being occupied by a circular exedra. It was established, as had been hypothesised in 2007, that it was created between the second half of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th century A.D. through the transformation of an existing six apsed central-plan room. During this restructuring alternate apses were demolished, leaving three of the original six, making way for quadrangular rooms accessed via a large ambulatory. The latter was also polylobed and was placed so as to surround the “trilobed room”. This plan, for its layout and monumental characteristics has few comparisons: amongst these, in relation to the original phase, it is possible to cite the octagonal room of the villa at Cazzanello near Tarquinia, datable to the 5th century A.D. 2. Excavation was completed of the cement pavement, with stone base and mosaic inserts, already identified in 2007 over two thirds of the area of the “trilobed room”. Unfortunately, in the area brought to light sections of the mosaic decoration were missing. The mosaic was best preserved in the areas at the edge of the room, following the line of the walls, where a border emerged with circle and lozenge motifs. However, due to the imperfect state of preservation of the cement surface it was possible to make a small cut (circa 25 x 25 cm) in the pavement in order to examine its structural characteristics. In fact, the cement had two make ups, a thick one resting directly on the soil and a second, thinner one. Both were made up of the same components: sand, cobbles, mortar and occasional terracotta fragments. Furthermore, the surface of the upper level showed clear traces of smoothing and a thin skin of red colour. Thus the pavement was similar in form to the opus signinum structures, but the materials used were much poorer. The decorative aspect also showed anomalies, in fact, although the decorative motif can be linked to contemporary mosaic repertories, the pavement’s construction technique adapted it to local needs and contingencies, to the traditions of cement structures. 3. The extension of the excavation brought the area under investigation to circa 1000 m2 , still not large enough, in reality, to gain an understanding of possible spatial relationships with other structures characteristic of this type of complex, for example the peristyle and baths. However, continuation of the research revealed how in the 6th-7th century A.D. several _ateliers_ of a productive nature had been set up within the rooms of the villa. In fact, the site seemed to become an open-air quarry from which marble and metals could be “extracted” and glass could be recycled by melting the hundreds and thousands of glass paste tesserae which decorated the walls of some of the more sumptuous rooms. Finds of semi-worked objects in glass and bronze suggest a system that recycled these raw materials for uses and markets which went beyond the local sphere. This hypothesis should be confirmed by the numerous archeo-metallurgical analyses being undertaken together with an in depth study of the territory

The aims of the 5th excavation campaign at the villa of Aiano-Torraccia di Chiusi were the following: 1. Conclusion of the excavation of the area defines as the “ambulatio polylobata”; 2. Opening of a new south-eastern sector; 3. Investigation of the area relating to “room Q”; 4. Continuing study of the stratigraphy of the walls. With this year’s work the total surface area covered by the excavation reached 1.200 m2 compared to the villa’s extension which geophysical investigations calculated as being 10.000 m2. 1. Study of the wide poly-lobate corridor surrounding the so-called “tri-apsidal hall” completed the acquisition of information regarding the stratigraphy of one of the largest and problematic – as regards function - of the villa’s rooms. During the two previous campaigns (2007-2008), lack of time caused the archaeological investigation to stop at the uncovering of the roof collapse (tiles and imbrices) sealing the later beaten earth floor level of the corridor, dating to the last occupation phase (between the 6th and 7th century A.D.). The removal of this collapse revealed the presence of a system of small channels which generally followed the line of the walls of the “tri-apsidal hall”. Once the fill had been excavated it was seen that they cut the beaten earth floor of the corridor. 2. The opening of a vast south-eastern sector (circa 200 m2) aimed at gaining greater understanding of the spaces and structures in the southern part of the excavation. A long wall on a north-south alignment emerged, whose southern end was not reached. The construction technique – use of travertine blocks mixed with brick fragments – suggested that it belonged to one of the last occupation phases of the villa. This wall was abutted by three wide partition walls (east-west) defining, interpreted at the moment as “two exedra”. Furthermore, north of the wall, a structure built of high quality travertine blocks came to light which may have been a forge. A long water channel (travertine parapets and brick floor), on an east-west alignment, was identified where it cut the wide entrance to the vestibule of the “tri-apsidal hall”. 3. “Room Q”, a small room north of the “tri-apsidal hall” provided interesting new data relating to the occupation and layout of the villa. In fact, it was ascertained that this room was situated on a higher level with respect to the rest of the structure, which suggests that the villa was built on a terrace system in a southerly direction towards the Fosci torrent. Moreover, inside the room the first burial was found, which a preliminary examination suggests was a female aged around 30-35 years. The grave goods were scarce. Below this tomb a floor of travertine slabs came to light, in turn overlying a pit containing pottery datable to the 7th century A.D. 4. The study of the stratigraphy of the walls, correlated with a project for the 3D reconstruction of the “tri-apsidal hall”, confirmed the previously formulated hypotheses regarding the two macro construction phases relating to the 4th century B.C. hall with six apses, later transformed, perhaps following a traumatic event (a strong earthquake?) into the hall with three apses and opus caementicium floor, excavated during the 2007-2008 campaigns.

The aims of the sixth excavation campaign on the late antique villa of Aiano-Torraccia di Chiusi were as follows: 1. Extension of the excavation area to the north of the tri-apsidal hall; 2. Completion of the excavation of the kiln in room F; 3. Continuation of excavations in the southern sector of the villa; 4. Opening of excavations in the west corridor; 5. Continuation of the study of the wall stratigraphy. This year’s excavations brought the total area covered to 1,500 m2 compared to the villa’s extension, documented by geophysical survey, of 10,000 m2. 1. The extension of the excavation area to the north of the portion investigated during the last campaigns revealed more walls delimiting a large room of which only the south-eastern corner was excavated. This was a large space, with pillars circa one metre wide supporting the roof, of which about one quarter of the surface area was intercepted. Its function remains unknown. The difficulty in proceeding with the excavation in the north of the excavation area was caused by the depth of the archaeological deposit, circa 2 m below present ground level. In fact, the walls were often preserved to a height of 1.8 m, although all the floors had been removed. 2. Excavation of the sub-rectangular kiln found in 2007 was completed. The structure was well- preserved below the perforated firing floor. The heavy reddening of the surrounding terrain and the walls of the combustion chamber indicate that the structure was in use for a long period. However, there was no evidence of the materials it produced, leaving open the question of what class of pottery was made here. 3. The intervention to the south of the great tri-apsidal hall revealed a further three rooms belonging to the southern sector of the villa. To date the excavation has defined the line of the walls: full excavation is programmed for 2011. 4. A new excavation area was opened in the so-called west corridor of the villa. As elsewhere on the site, this revealed the final phase of the villa, datable to the 6th-7th century A.D. This was characterised by a series of traces of craft-working activity comprising oven floors and embedded containers (dolia). It was plastered both internally and externally. The floors and wall decorations had been removed in antiquity. 5. The study of the walls led to the conclusion that the villa showed evidence of diverse construction projects: the earliest one relating to the rooms to the south; a second, later one relating to the north rooms leading towards the tri-apsidal hall. Moreover, it was seen that sometimes the architectural project changed during the construction phase. A small channel, without finishings but structurally complete, was found below the foundations of the villa’s vestibule, thus showing a change of plan, perhaps related to the alterations to the plan of the room with six apses.

In August 2011 the 7th excavation campaign at the Roman villa of Aiano-Torraccia di Chiusi at San Gimignano was concluded. The Italo-Belgian excavations in the area, begun in 2005, have revealed the well-preserved remains of a _villa longiqua_, probably built at the beginning of the 4th century A.D., and in use until the beginning of the 7th century. The long occupation period saw numerous alterations to the structure, which also affected the archaeological deposit. The villa was probably made up of a series of pavilions, of which over 2000 m2 have been investigated during seven years of excavations. The present research concentrated on an important part of the structure, characterised, in the years before the last quarter of the 4th century A.D., by the Tri-lobed hall – _Ambulatio_ complex, which had undergone restructuring. In particular, this campaign investigated the area north of the complex. In fact, here, already during the 5th and 6th campaigns, rooms were identified (room Q and room U) which presented useful elements for the understanding of the chronology of the planimetric and architectural development. Above all, in the absence of material that could provide an absolute chronology, the stratigraphical investigation of the area west of room Q made it possible to identify the relationships between all the rooms in this complex, in a precise stratigraphic sequence. A new room was identified, communicating with room Q and symmetrical with it. This confirmed that they were later in date than the Tri - lobed hall – _Ambulatio_ complex and room U. The discovery of a burial in the north-western corner of the room was of great interest. The skeleton was perfectly articulated and without grave goods or personal ornament. The stratigraphy showed that the burial post-dated the structure’s abandonment. Room U and the so-called room V facing it, already previously investigated, showed a somewhat complex arrangement. This comprised a large hall (room U), over 20 m long (total length still to be defined) and 8 m wide, with three pillars at the centre and a large opening on the eastern side providing access to an open area (so-called room V). Four square pillars, which had been altered over time, stood in this area. The layout of these structures and the stratigraphy suggests that this may have been a portico relating to room U or a more structured complex (another pavilion?) developing to the north, hypotheses which will have to be verified during the coming excavation campaigns.

The excavations at Aiano-Torraccia di Chiusi have also felt the effects of recent economic difficulties, thus the 2012 season was only three weeks long, and had limited financial and human resources. For this reason this campaign largely aimed to check various hypotheses formulated in 2011, relating to the nature and function of the area north-east of the so-called “tri-apsidal hall”. The excavation area (area V) was a little over 42 m2. Its size was limited by the available work force and the discovery during the mechanical removal of the plough soil, of a portion of a column drum (smooth surfaced) in Venato “marble” (about 70 cm long and 40 cm in diameter) in secondary deposition. It can only be suggested that is probably came from the villa’s late antique residential phases as the excavation of area V did not reveal the existence of any structures. In fact, the morphology of the layers and the extremely fragmentary and out-of-context materials recovered, (portions of glass paste _opus sectile_, bronze laminae, fragments of blown glass and a substantial accumulation of lumps of _opus signinum_ paving), suggest that the entire area can be interpreted as a dump, used during the early medieval period. This would lend support to the hypothesis that the area in question corresponded with a large open area (perhaps a courtyard as suggested by the presence to the west of the pillars of a possible portico). During the site’s final occupation phases it served as a dump for building rubble and other materials coming from the dismantling and reuse that is amply documented in situ between the 6th and 7th century A.D. As a consequence of this activity, and again as a control, the plough soil covering the northern part of the great hall (Room U), situated north-west of the “tri-apsidal hall” was removed. The aim was to intercept the hall’s north wall. In fact, during the 2011 campaign Room U had not been completely excavated and at this point of the excavation measured over 20 m in length and 8 m wide. It was characterised by three pillars at the centre and a large opening on the east side giving access to an open space (the so-called area V) through four square pillars. This year’s investigation identified a massive collapse, within which was traced the continuation of the walls on a north-south alignment. Of these, the crest of the east wall was exposed. Furthermore, in the central area, the top of a pillar was uncovered, of the same module as seen for the three already uncovered in previous campaigns. Due to the lack of time, it was not possible to complete the excavation towards the north. Despite this, it can be suggested that the hall extended in that direction for several meters more. At present, the function of this space is unknown.

The excavation of the villa, halted in 2012, reopened in 2015 following the acquisition of the land by the town council of San Gimignano. As the acquisition was only formalised in January 2015, there was no time to request an excavation permit from the Archaeological Superintendency of Tuscany. Therefore, the only actions undertaken were the clearing of vegetation, the restoration of the state of preservation of the walls and a campaign of geomagnetic surveys, the latter carried out by Luca Passalacqua and Gabriella Carpentiero from the University of Siena. 1. Following the partial removal of earth supporting an irrigation pipe, crossing the northern sector of the villa from north to south and east to west, the spatial unity of the area was restored and prepared for future excavation. 2. A 1 m2 trench was opened to check the state of preservation of the cement floor in the so called triapsidal hall. No new problems were recorded. 3. Lastly, a test was undertaken for a geomagnetic survey of the outside the north and north-eastern excavated sector of the villa. The aim was to check the efficiency of this method and highlight the presence of any archaeological anomalies. A Gradiometer Fluxgate FM256 (Geoscan Research Ltd.) was used that made it possible to carry out the test in a short time and using non-invasive techniques. Several linear anomalies were documented in the investigated area; however, they were close to two large areas of modern disturbance that would compromise continuation of the investigations. Furthermore, the geological context would have rendered the data less legible. Therefore, the test result was negative.

Thanks to a new agreement between Louvain Catholic University, San Gimignano town council, and the Palazzo Spinelli Group of Florence, this year research on the late antique villa of Aiano was able to resume fully. The two main objectives were further research in the southern part of the complex and a first intervention to consolidate and conserve the walls of the so-called “Sala Triabsidata”, a project in which the collaboration of the conservators from Palazzo Spinelli had been fundamental. This report will concentrate on the excavations in areas 5000 S-W and S-E and 8000 (see attached plan). The trenches opened during the 10th campaign generally confirmed what was already known about the final occupation phase in the southern part of the villa. Here, there was a large quarter that between the 6th and first half of the 7th century A.D. was heavily robbed and the materials, then reused (particularly metal and glass). A closer analysis then showed that wall 5006-10 had several construction phases, similar to those, in the early medieval period that saw rebuilds using late antique materials (reused bricks). Important evidence was also provided by a floor make up (area 5400 and 5800) showing that the western part of the villa was not simply an external space. Indeed, although open-air, the area was almost certainly set up for activities that perhaps relate to the villa’s reuse in the early medieval period. Clear traces of reuse also emerged in areas 8700 and 8800, although badly damaged by modern ploughing and mainly situated up against the excavation’s south section. An important feature of the site, which will be the object of future investigations, is the presence across almost all of the excavated areas of the villa, in particular the southern sector, of a massive layer of compact clay. This had been interpreted as the first non-anthropized layer underlying the occupation stratigraphy. However, in area 8700 traces of human occupation were found below the clay. This discovery therefore provides new evidence for the occupation phases and for the construction of the walls, given that some of them were built after a presumably natural event (landslide?), which covered the villa and the structures still standing in the 6th century A.D. with the clay. In fact, the hypothesis of a landslide from the hill north-east of the villa, seems supported by geological investigations that discovered a saddled that had formed when a portion of the south slope slid downhill. This traumatic event, which happened when the site had already lost its residential function, did not conclude the history of occupation at Aiano, as the layer of material from the landslide was built on, and not only with temporary (wood or other) structures but also masonry-built ones.

The 2017 campaign at the villa of Aiano had three main objectives. The first was to extend the excavation area in order to check the site plan and its complex dating. Three main areas were investigated (9600, 11000 and 12000) situated to the north and south of the villa’s west front, together with a series of smaller trenches (7800, 8800 and 12100) aimed at resolving specific questions relating to the stratigraphy (horizontal US and walls). The work was profitable but slowed down by the substantial stratigraphy accumulated by ancient landslides, that was particularly deep in the northern sector (in some parts reaching 1.60 m above the top of the collapses). Despite this, a new room (c.4 x 8 m, area 11000) was completely excavated down to the _opus_ _caementicium_ floor surface, situated north of the so-called Hall of Pillars. This room had at least two main phases of use, including the reuse of travertine ashlar blocks used to build a dividing wall on a north-south alignment; their reuse was demonstrated by traces of painted plaster,. Area 9600 continued to the north the excavation of room K (not completed). Lastly, area 12000 showed that in the future it will be necessary to remove more of the agricultural soil to the west in order to understand the relationship between the villa and surrounding area, which during the course of time has been submerged by landslides from the north. The second objective was to record in detail the floor of the so-called Triconch Hall and some of the wall facings in the so-called Hall of Pillars. This was important for understanding the units of measurement used in the structures and, consequently their functions and dating and also contributed to defining the state of degradation and quantifying the necessary actions for conservation. The third step in the campaign involved the conservation and restoration of the _opus_ _caementicium_ floor and mosaic inserts in the north-west apse of the Triconch Hall. The first operation consisted in the removal of the loose deposits present on the surface. During the excavation, subsidence, detachments, gaps and dispersion of the tesserae were noted. Subsequently, the roots infesting the floor were removed. At this point, the surface was consolidated, the gaps filled with mortar and the missing tesserae replaced with similar materials, which was made possible by the isotropic pattern of the decoration.

This season’s campaign at the villa of Aiano had three main objectives: continuation of the excavations; survey and 3D modelling of some parts of the villa; continuation of work to consolidate and conserve the villa walls and the floor in the so-called triapsal hall. _Excavation_ Four excavation areas were opened, most situated north of the area investigated in the past: 7600, 7900, 9700, 13000. As usual, the decision to excavate in the northern part of the area was based on the opportunity to investigate an archaeological deposit which, although c. 2m below the present ground level (taking the early medieval floor surfaces into consideration), usually presents better-preserved structures, especially those that are standing, an important element considering the planned enhancement of the site and its opening to the public. The excavation area covered c. 150 m2. Area 7600: northern part of the so-called room of the pillars, the excavation of which remained unfinished in 2012. Given the substantial collapses, the early medieval floor surface was not reached, but walls in collapse were identified and recorded: perimeter walls lying at a 90° angle with some portions of painted plaster still _in_ _situ_. There were several hearths on the collapses, evidence for occupation of the site even when it was in ruins, and a moderate amount of coarse ware and depurated pottery was found. Area 7900: excavated following the removal of a part of a modern irrigation pipe. The intervention aimed to link a number of sectors investigated in the past that had remained separated. Area 9700: continuation of the excavation of so-called “room K”, which delimited on a N-S alignment the entire western zone of the villa. The intervention revealed an early medieval division of the room K consisting of the construction of a wall, USM 9709 (with reused stone blocks), which, in closing the excavated area to the south, formed a sort of chamber for accumulating water, its drainage and, lastly, percolation towards the southern part of room K. The latter, investigated in previous years, showed clear signs of run-off. The area was completely covered by a dense “vespaio” (loose foundation) US 9711, formed by deliberately broken brick/tile fragments creating a structure for water filtration. This structure relates to the villa’s early medieval life and its production activities. Area 13.000: contained by a wall to the west, this area of c. 50 m2 was characterised by the presence at the centre of several structures (walls, pillars) linked to craft working activities in the early medieval period. Given the high concentration of coins, small bronzes _nummi_, clipped coins etc., the area seemed to have functioned as a space for activities linked to the ponderal adaptation of the coins in circulation. _Conservation_ This seasons’s activities had two main objectives: the restoration of the cement floor with stone-terracotta make-up in the south apse (triapsal hall) and the making good/consolidation of some of the walls. Following a wide-spectrum analysis of the state of preservation of the floor, which also checked last year’s interventions and the covering created for winter conservation, restoration work was undertaken on the floor. In this part of the hall, the floor had become detached, not just the surface tesserae but the entire thickness including the make-up. The conservation involved the use of internal injections of consolidating material. The floor surface, decorated with a pattern of octagons, was cleaned, which revealed more traces of the ancient reddening caused by heat. As regards the walls, there were numerous collapsed blocks were put back into position, and the wall facings and internal mortar consolidated. A lot of time and energy were put into developing the new seasonal covering, which was revisited and improved compared to last year’s. In fact, some problems caused by the effects of freezing- thawing typical of the winter months in the valley, led to the creation of a multi-layered covering. This comprised a semi-permeable but waterproof layer on the bottom covered by over 500 sacks made of inert material and filled with sand, in such a way as to offer the best protection to the mosaic below. _Survey_ In 2017, following the stipulation of a research agreement with UCLouvain, the VHLab of CNR ITABC began to collaborate on the project with the aim of recording the situation using a photogrammetric aerial and land survey of the villa’s architectural remains and contributing to the understanding of the site through 3D reconstruction of the occupation phases. The preparatory analysis of the architectural complex is fundamental for the correct interpretation of the development phases and for thus being able to propose a reconstruction. The entire complex was surveyed with focus on the triapsal room. The fieldwork took place in three stages: survey and positioning of the datum points, topographical survey, and photogrammetric survey. Future developments: the photogrammetric survey produced a high quality result (average error 4 mm, maximum error 7 mm) considering the extension of the site (c. 3.000 m2). The collected data will constitute the state plan based on which the following products for the documentation will be created: dense points cloud that can also be used for taking measurements at any point; 2. polygonal 3D model of the villa; 3. detailed plan; 4. general sections; 5. orthophotos; 6. aerial video footage of the site. The documentation produced will also be used as a reference base for the creation of a virtual reconstruction of the development phases of the archaeological complex.

Four sectors were investigated in 2019: Area 7600 (Room U), Area 9700, Area 13000, and Area 14000. Generally, this involved completing the trenches begun last year (Area 7600 sometime before) in order to complete the stratigraphic sequence down to natural. In particular, in Room U, where the stratigraphy confirmed early medieval floor surfaces relating to the dismantling and recycling of the villa’s structures (cf. US 7513), the excavation of an area c. 1.5 m wide between the pillar US 7530 and wall E of room U (US 7008) provided the answers to a number of stratigraphic and structural questions. It was seen that the wall (US 7008) and the pillar (US 7503) were of the same construction technique and same phase, built within a narrow trench in the same layer of clay (US 7107=7543=7626). This confirmed they were contemporary, and, based on statics and dimensions, that the wall (not surviving) was of substantial height and mass, considering the foundations were 0.80 m deep. Area 9700: the removal of US 9711 continued (layer largely formed by a few very large stones and abundant tile fragments, used to create a loose foundation or drainage layer). Area 1300: new structures emerged (floor surfaces, small walls etc.) certainly of early medieval date (6th-7th century) that were part of the widespread reuse of the spaces once belonging to a luxurious late antique villa. Once again the finds included a large concentration of bronze coins (twenty examples dating to between the 4th and 6th centuries A.D.), often shaved or cut, as if the space was used for adapting their original values to the needs of a transformed economy. Area 1400: the aim was to check what the results of the geophysical survey (and not only) suggested, the presence of buried structures. This _sondage_ not only provided a more complete idea of the villa’s plan, but also made it possible to verify the suggested presence of a courtyard area (peristyle?) between the western zone and the new pavilion. As regards the structures that emerged, the plan of the easternmost room, with the presence of four buttresses at the centre and abutting the exterior, suggests either a tall structure or, more probably, a structure with strong internal pressure against the walls. Therefore, it may have been a cistern. Unfortunately, no waterproof mortar was present on the walls, although fragments were found in secondary deposition. _Survey_ In 2017, the VHLab of CNR ITABC began to collaborate on the project with the aim of recording the present state of the architectural remains of the villa via aerial and ground-based photogrammetry, and to contribute to the understanding of the site via the 3D computer reconstruction of the settlement phases. The preparatory analyses of the architectural complex continued this year through the integration of the project by the Studio Scaletti prior to the laser scanner survey of the new structures in 2019.

Dopo la campagna 2019, le attività di scavo ad Aiano sono riprese durante l’anno 2021, a seguito di una lunga pausa forzata a seguito dell’emergenza COVID. L’anno 2020 ha invece visto attuarsi una breve campagna di studio materiali da parte di un ristretto numero di membri dell’équipe. Le indagini si sono concentrate in quattro aree: area 5900, area 9700, area 14000 e area 14100. Nel caso delle aree 14000 e 14100, si è intervenuti per completare lo scavo di settori già individuati e parzialmente scavati nel 2019, per comprendere meglio questa nuova zona produttiva della villa. Lo scavo dell’area 9700, invece, era iniziato già nel 2018 e lo scopo della campagna 2021 era l’osservazione di quanto presente al di sotto del vespaio di laterizi rinvenuto negli scavi precedenti. Infine, l’area 5900, l’unica nella zona sud del sito, era necessaria per una maggiore comprensione di un settore solo parzialmente indagato già a partire dal 2009 (5000 est) e che è caratterizzato dalla presenza di fosse di accumulo di materiale strettamente legato alle attività di riciclo di età altomedievale, in particolare per il vetro. Nell’area 5900, posta nell'estremità sud-est del sito, è stato ampliato lo scavo dell'ambiente 6, un piccolissimo vano aperto verso ovest e con ancora resti della preparazione pavimentale. Come i limitrofi e piccoli ambienti 3, 4 e 5 dell’area 5000 est, anche l’ambiente 6 presentava una grande fossa nel suo angolo nord-ovest. In questo caso, il suo riempimento era stato a sua volta utilizzato per impostare una piccola fornace, mostrando quindi più fasi di riutilizzo di questo spazio. Nell'area 9700 (vano K), posto nell'angolo nord-ovest del sito, è stato portato a termine lo scavo iniziato già negli anni 2018-2019, terminando la rimozione degli strati formati da spezzoni di tegole e portando alla luce un altro tratto del canale che scorreva in senso nord-sud anche oltre il limite meridionale dell'area, già individuato lungo tutto il corridoio K nelle campagne di scavo precedenti. Esso era forse collegato alla presenza di una possibile vasca di decantazione dell'argilla, rinvenuta nel 2018-2019 e caratterizzata da uno strato di laterizi con possibile funzione drenante. Nell'Area 14000, posta a nord-est del sito e già esplorata parzialmente nel 2019, gli scavi sono proseguiti nella zona meridionale. Si è potuta constatare la presenza di setti murari che delimitavano ulteriori ambienti e di un'area a carattere produttivo, caratterizzata da fosse e punti di fuoco, che trova confronto con altre aree del sito riferibili alla sua fase artigianale (VI-VII secolo d.C.). L'area 14100, nella quale nel 2019 erano stati riconosciuti due dolia, è stata ampliata verso nord. Questo ha permesso di riportare alla luce un terzo dolio, defunzionalizzato dopo la metà del VI secolo d.C. Una preparazione pavimentale molto grezza in malta e ciottoli era riconoscibile in alcune parti dell'area, in particolare in corrispondenza di due dei tre dolia. Per la campagna 2021, le operazioni di ricerca presso la villa tardoantica di Aiano hanno potuto beneficiare dei fondi dell'Université catholique de Louvain "Programme de co-financement COVID".

The 2022 excavations concentrated on five areas: 5900, 14000, 14100, 14200, 14300. Excavations in area 5900, the only one in the southern part of the site, continued in order to gain an understanding of the sector explored from 2009 onwards (5000 east) and characterised by the presence of middens containing material associated with early medieval recycling activities, in particular that of glass. Here, the excavation of room 6 continued, a small room open to the west in which there were the remains of the floor make-up. Like the nearby rooms 3, 4, and 5 in area 5000 east, room 6 presented a large pit in its north-west corner, in this case used for dumping building materials from the villa, which at this point had been stripped. In Area 14000, work continued in the southern zone (room δ), in order to complete the 2019-2021 excavations. Here, a production area was uncovered, with pits and hearths, which was similar to other areas of the site relating to the phase when workshops functioned here (6th-7th century A.D.). Work also continued in area 14100, situated in the eastern sector of the large room (β) with six pillars, characterised by a rough floor make-up that extended over most of it. The pottery found in the layers of fill inside the three sunken _dolia_, found during the 2019-2021 campaigns, suggest they probably went out of use from the 6th century A.D. onwards. Two small trenches were opened to investigate the different methods of housing the _dolia_ in the ground. New areas 14200 and 14300, aimed to continue the investigation of the westernmost part of room β, to date the largest room on the site: these new areas revealed its overall extension to be c. 180 m2. The first of the two areas presented, in addition to the continuation of the floor make-up, a very deep pit containing dumped building rubble and, on the bottom, a fragmented _dolium_. In area 14300, a row of sunken _dolia_ situated in the south-west corner of room β confirmed that this room was used for storage purposes and can be provisionally identified, through comparison with similar rooms in late antique villas, as a _cella_ _vinaria_. Further excavation should confirm this suggestion.

The 2023 excavations at the villa of Aiano concentrated on the northern part of the site, in particular the storage area excavated from 2019 onwards. Following a general clearing of the area, the south and west edges of room β were exposed. The latter is a large rectangular room (c. 30 x 9 m) with six central pillars. A row of fourteen _dolia_ _defossa_ was found along the south wall. In addition, two rectangular vats were uncovered in area 14300 along the west wall. East of room β, another room was identified (ε), circa 4.5 m wide. The shape and dimensions of this room could be identical to those of room α, thus conferring a symmetry to this zone. The discovery of a third pillar south of room β suggests the presence of a porticoed structure, parallel with room β, which continued to the west with a wing aligned north-south, abutting room U. These two porticoes probably bordered a large courtyard area, whose floor surface remains unknown at present. Area 14300 corresponds with the western part of room β. The area, partially excavated in 2022, was extended to the north to include two rectangular vats discovered during the general clearing. The excavations focused on the _dolia_ found in the southern part of the sector and the south vat. Although the excavation is ongoing, it is already possible to suggest that when the vat went out of use, it was filled with building rubble probably in phase with the filling of the _dolia_. Area 14400, is situated inside room β, delimited to the west by area 14200 and the east by area 14100. After cleaning, four pits for housing _dolia_ appeared. The excavation of the latter confirmed the following sequence of activities, already identified in previous years: 1) cut of pits for housing the _dolia_ and positioning of the _dolia_; 2) the space between the _dolium_ and the pit walls are filled with soil and _opus_ _signinum_, thus making the container stable and providing thermal insulation; 3) when the villa at Aiano loses its residential function, some of the _dolia_ seem to have been removed while most were left _in_ _situ_, the latter were filled with soil and building rubble. Some of the _dolia_ rims were removed to create a level surface for laying the floor make-up. To conclude, the position of the north-eastern zone of the villa, its plan and the quantity of _dolia_ _defossa_ found, in addition to the two rectangular vats (_lacus_), suggest the presence of an imposing _cella_ _vinaria_. The archeometric analyses undertaken on samples from the _dolia_ fills should offer further insight.