This was the 14th campaign of excavations at the castle of Monte Copiolo (PU) carried out by the School of Medieval Archaeology at the University of Urbino, directed by Prof. Anna Lia Ermeti.
For the third consecutive year, the investigations concentrated on the remains of a church with a single nave (12th-19th century), latter abutted by a structure of the same size built in the 13th-14th century, interpreted as a hostel for pilgrims and the poor. These structures are known as the “Complesso della Misericordia”. The complex is situated outside the fortifications by the gate leading into them.
The church and hostel were fully investigated during previous campaigns, both externally (north, east, and west sides) and internally. The zone outside the church to the south remained to be investigated; formed by a flat area it appeared an ideal site for a cemetery outside the church and immediately adjacent to it. Therefore, a small test trench was opened outside the south wall of the church (Area 9, Trench B, 2015).

The area was covered by a layer of humus with an abundance of roots and was surrounded by numerous conifers whose roots had disturbed the stratigraphy. A number of trees were removed and given that 19th century pottery and modern religious medals were still present among the finds it was decided to interrupt the excavation as the finds can be interpreted as material resulting from the demolition of the church, which historic sources date to between 1830 and 1834. The aim had been to check for the presence of burials outside the south side of the church but none were found. The presence of thick woods makes it difficult to open a larger trench further away from the church to test for the presence of a cemetery. In effect, this flatter area seems more suitable for a cemetery but due to the vegetation as things stand, it is not possible to undertake extensive investigations.

Next season excavations will take place in a different area of the castle.