Conclusion

167

CB 57 - EMO III Conclusion

The primary aims of the excavation of CB57 were to investigate this previously unexplored area and determine what, if any, relationship it had with other areas of the hill of Poggio Civitate, especially Civitate A, Civitate B and the 7 ^th and 6 ^th century activity on Piano del Tesoro. The secondary objectives were to clarify the ancient use of Civitate B and potentially to uncover evidence for sub-\xe9lite habitation or activity in the area. During the process of excavation significant progress was made answering these questions. The position of CB 57, at the bottom of a gentle slope, resulted in a layer of erosional material, defined as Loci 2 , 3 and 4 . Included in Locus 1 and Locus 3 respectively were two worn cavetto fragments comparable to similar artefacts recovered elsewhere on the hill and securely datable to 6 ^th century B.C. occupation ( 20120002

20120002

20120003

In the centre area of the trench, an area of soft soil forming an ovoid shape approximately 50cm in diameter was excavated. It is probable that this was an area of re-deposited soil, and that this area had been excavated during previous occupation of the area. Loci 6 , 7 , 8 , and 9 explored the extent of this feature. Locus 8 defined a rock packing which ringed the pit feature. This pit-like feature measured 60cm in depth. Some tile, pottery and one piece of bone were also recovered during excavation. In addition Locus 9 contained numerous fragments of charcoal. Nonetheless, no chronologically diagnostic material was recovered from the feature. However, A similar ovoid feature uncovered 2.7m east in CB 56 and at a near identical elevation included a well preserved cavetto fragment PC20120082 towards the bottom of the pit, suggesting that the hole was open for material to enter within it during the destruction of the 6 ^th century complex from which this moulding is likely to have formed a part of its architectural decoration.

Furthermore, directly north of CB 57 in CB 54 a possible drainage channel was exposed which would potentially have diverted water around the areas of CB 56 and CB 57. While the nature of the two features in CB 56 and CB 57 is as yet still unclear, it may be suggested that the two are connected and may have formed part of a light-framed architectural structure in the Civitate B area. Therefore, the aims of the 2012 season have to a large extent been met: the possible discovery of light-framed architecture permits reasonable speculation that there may have been sub-\xe9lite activity or inhabitation in Civitate B contemporary with 6 ^th century occupation. However, further excavation and exploration is necessary in order to definitively determine the function and nature of the ovoid pit uncovered in CB57.