In San Giovanni (Tornareccio) this season, three adjacent fields were investigated (SG T9000, SG T10000, and SG T11000). These areas were chosen in order to confirm whether certain observations made during field walking and geophysical survey corresponded with archaeological deposits. Excavation will continue in two of these areas (SG T10000 and SG T11000) in 2015.

SG T9000, located in an olive grove that constrained its dimensions, was 16.65m in length but only 0.61m in width, with two extensions, a western one (1.74m in length) and an eastern one (2.65m in length). Under a heavy deposit of colluvial soil, a series of anthropogenic layers were uncovered, all consonant with domestic debris of Roman Imperial – late Roman date. These layers were densely packed with large amounts of roofing tile and other ceramic building materials, fragments of cocciopesto flooring, small amounts of intonaco wall plaster, pottery (both fine and cooking wares), and animal bone (particularly cow). Because of the constraints of the surrounding olive grove, the complete stratigraphic sequence could not be obtained.

SG T10000 began as a 1.5m wide by 8.5m long slot – several extensions were added in response to the presence of a number of features including a lengthy wall segment with one spur wall, and a plaster platform, possibly associated with overlying material culture of Iron Age date. Further investigation of this area is planned for 2015.

SG T11000, measuring1.7m wide and 7.2m in length, was opened in order to assess the geological (and potential archaeological) consequences of the bi-directional erosion at a significant change of slope. At 0.40m depth, the natural subsoil was encountered, but after cleaning an archaeological deposit of Iron Age materials was found similar to that in SG T10000. Further investigation of this area is planned for 2015.