Summary (English)
Investigations revealed the continuation of the structures, partially uncovered previously, belonging to the system of fortifications of Castel Nuovo, in particular the walls delimiting the third ditch outside the bastioned circuit wall. Three construction phases were identified, from the earliest which was the 16th century layout, when the wall delimiting the ditch presented an ample curve in correspondence with the circular tower of the bastioned wall, to the 18th and 19th century restructuring.
In the late medieval period the part of the present piazza Municipio that was investigated was an open area, free of buildings, which must instead have occupied the adjacent zone, both to the north and west of Castel Nuovo. Inside the bulk of the ditch the only early medieval structure found was a well-cistern whose fill produced almost intact glazed and proto-majolica vases together with wooden finds.
The late medieval structures rested on large natural progressive accumulations of an alluvial nature, formed between the 7th and 13th century.
Below these accumulations, in the central part of the excavation, a road on an east-west alignment came to light. This was perhaps a branch of an extra-mural road that headed towards the port. It was constructed on compact sandy layers, delimited to the north and south by two roadbeds of building rubble. Ten levels of overlying beaten surfaces were identified, dating from the mid 6th century A.D. to the full 8th century A.D. The insertion of two parallel channels below the road, probably linked to the Serino aqueduct, dated to this latter phase.
The road was flanked by burials, mainly concentrated in the southern area. Seven “a cappuccina” tombs were identified. In the absence of grave goods, the stratigraphy dated them to between the mid 6th and the 7th century A.D.Cultivated areas with holes for plants, supporting fences and channels for water drainage extended along the sides of the road, especially in the southern zone.
- Fausto Zevi - Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" 
Director
- Daniela Giampaola - Soprintendenza dei Beni Archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta
Team
- B. Roncella
- S. Febbraro
- V. Carsana
Research Body
- Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici delle Province di Napoli e Caserta
Funding Body
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