Introduction

3

Civitate A is located on the beginning of the northern slope of the Poggio Civitate, continuing along the flat area just outside the wall of the archaic complex. This area of the hill has been the site of limited excavation, especially when compared to neighboring Piano del Tesoro.

While the area was explored during the early years of excavation, very little material was uncovered.  However, excavation in the early 1990s uncovered several intriguing features which led to a renewed interest in the CA area.  In 1990, a forno area, evidenced by burned soil and copper slag, was discovered in CA-33 (see JB I , JB III , JB V , JB VII , EGR I ).  CA-36 and CA-37 commenced in 1991 and offered evidence of Iron Age habitation.  CA-37 revealed what appeared to be an intentional deposit of coarseware and impasto vessels.  CA-36, which was continued in 1993, revealed a midden containing Iron Age material, such as coil-made pottery and a bronze fibula.   The possibility of a burial was proposed, though no evidence of a body was found.  The purpose of these deposits remains unknown.  For CA-36 and 37, see: ( TT I , TT IV , JB IV ).  Thirdly, a well

4

5

dating to the Archaic period was discovered in CA-42 during the 1997 season (see LS I , MG II , JBB II ).

These discoveries led to many questions regarding the use of the CA area during habitational periods on Poggio Civitate.  The purposes of CA-56 are to further explore CA and attempt to better undestand its function during the Villanovan, Orientalizing, and Archaic periods. In addition, we hope to better understand knowledge gained from previous excavations of the forno,  intentional deposits, and the archaic well.  Finally, we hope to better understand the stratigraphy of the area through the excavation of CA-56 and the other CA exploratory trenches of the 2007 season.

6