In June 2011, the first excavation campaign took place on the hill of S. Pancrazio, at Campoli Appennino (FR). The investigation concentrated on the hill summit; the site chosen for the extraordinary view that it gives and the fact that the cleaning undertaken in previous years by the Gruppo Archeologico Medio Liri had uncovered archaeological materials, above all coins. The excavation revealed a series of rock-cut features, probably the housings for timber structures. The bedrock formed three natural terraces, sloping down from north-east to south-west, with very regular sections. At least one intervention on the rock front was identified, following the bedrock’s natural slope in order to create a structure on several levels. Most of the archaeological remains were uncovered in the central part of the excavation, on the highest level: a series of post-holes, some of which forming the outline of a semicircular structure. This was a timber construction, inside which most of the 83 coins recovered during the excavation were found. All were bronze with the exception of one that was an amalgam of metals. Although they have yet to be conserved, it is possible to suggest more or less certain identifications for 35 of them; two are of uncertain identity and the remaining 46 are for the moment illegible. Almost all are low-value denominations dating to between 217 B.C. and 565 A.D., with the exception of a 16th century quattrino. Within this long chronological span, three coins date to the Republican period (217-208 B.C.), while 31 are attributable to the late imperial, Gothic and Byzantine periods (245-565 A.D.), with an absence of attestations for the intermediate period. The first group of coins is constituted respectively by an uncia and semi-uncia, both from Roman mints, and an Apulian triens. The second group is considerably larger, constituted by issues of Gallienus, Constans II, Valentinian III, Marcian, Anastasius, Theodoric, Justinian and Baduela. For the Byzantine period, there is a clear predominance of coins issued by Justinian I, and by Baduela for the Ostrogothic part. More than 400 small nails were also found, together with elements from locks, small medals, and hairpins. Traces of burials that had been heavily disturbed in antiquity were documented. The chronology of the coins identifies this wooden hut as part of a military settlement datable to the period of the Greco-Gothic wars, conducted between 535 and 553 A.D. by the Byzantine armies for the re-conquest of Italy from the Goths. This was a defensive structure pre-dating the foundation of Campoli, more of which it is hoped will be revealed by future excavations.

The 2014 excavations in the area beside the chapel of San Pancrazio on the hill of the same name exposed a series of structures, some funerary, relating to the cemetery area that was uncovered during previous excavations. More burials were excavated; the skeletal remains mainly disarticulated and badly disturbed by later interventions. Indeed, in recent decades, work to reorganise and improve the area has badly damaged the archaeological stratigraphy, making the identification of the structures complex as they were often reduced to only the first course of the foundations and cut. The most important results this season were produced by the extension of excavations in the cemetery area confirming it surrounded the present church and therefore, that there must have been a church on the site already in the late antique period. In addition, the chronology dates the cult and funerary occupation of the site to before the mid 6th century fortification that marks the moment the church and cemetery were abandoned. This date is confirmed by continuing finds of low- denomination coins all minted in the mid 6th century, therefore supporting the chronology. In addition, two sections of wall were uncovered; badly-preserved and mostly reduced to one foundation course, they pre-date the funerary area and constitute evidence of earlier occupation. Although a precise chronology cannot be established at present, it is hoped that further excavation will make it possible to associate the scarce pottery and coin finds of Roman and pre-Roman date to this phase.