Season Team

• AIAC_2866 - Montelabate - 2012
  The 2012 excavation season focused on the site of Col di Marzo, where three trenches (IJ, K and FLM) were enlarged from the 2011 season, expanding knowledge of the third-fourth and sixth century BC. The principal occupation of the site is dated to the fourth century, the moment of proper consolidation of the frontier between Etruscans and Umbrians, and the novelties of the current season were the discovery of parallel drystone foundations of terracing with adjoining weaving sheds (loom weights and spindle whorls) and living areas (hearths, grinding stones, ceramic sieves, firedogs, animal and plant remains), demarcated by drystone foundations once covered by pisé walls and tiled roofs. A substantial drainage system seems to have been erected at right angles to the main terraces, perhaps carrying rain water from the upper part of the hill to storage areas on a lower part of the living terrace. Initial analysis seems to indicate spatial differentiation of activities within these locales, ranging from weaving to cooking, cheese and wine production. These third-fourth century BC structures were laid out on a rectilinear plan, whereas the underlying sixth century deposits seem to occupy more curvilinear structures. A substantial flotation programme worked through more than 2000 litres of sediment for the recovery of microfauna, landsnails, charcoal and floral remains, and these are now in the course of analysis. Initial examination of the animal bones suggests the presence of sheep, pig, cattle, dog and bird in order of importance. Initial examination of the carbonised seeds shows the presence of cereals (wheat, barley etc), grape and beans. Phytolith and micromorphological samples were also recovered.
• AIAC_2866 - Montelabate - 2013
  The 2013 excavation season focused on the site of Col di Marzo, where one trench was enlarged from the 2013 season, expanding knowledge of the third-fourth century BC. The principal occupation of the site is dated to the fourth century, the moment of proper consolidation of the frontier between Etruscans and Umbrians, and the novelties of the current season were the discovery of a new house structure with living areas (hearths, grinding stones, ceramic sieves, firedogs, animal and plant remains), a new drainage system and yard area, as well as an underlying ditch structure. Initial analysis seems to indicate spatial differentiation of activities within these locales, ranging from weaving to cooking, cheese and wine production. These third-fourth century BC structures were laid out on a rectilinear plan, whereas the underlying sixth century deposits seem to occupy more curvilinear structures. A substantial flotation programme now totals 4000 litres of sediment for the recovery of microfauna, landsnails, charcoal and floral remains, and these are now in the course of analysis. Initial examination of the animal bones suggests the presence of sheep, pig, cattle, dog and bird in order of importance. Initial examination of the carbonised seeds shows the presence of cereals (wheat, barley etc), grape and beans. Phytolith and micromorphological samples were also recovered.