Conclusion

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Conclusion

CB-61 was opened with the following goals:

1. To investigate the nature of the anomaly as revealed in the GPR survey conducted in 2015;

2. To recover datable finds in order to better understand the chronology and stratigraphy of CB;

3. To further explore the relationship between the occupations of CB, CC, and the Piano del Tesoro;

4. To find architectural remains contemporaneous with the Archaic and Orientalizing complexes;

5. To clarify the nature of the scant, but suggestive finds of 2012.

The research goals of the trench were not met in full this season. CB-61 attempted, but was unable to determine the nature and location of the anomaly suggested in the GPR survey. The stone feature in the southern and eastern baulk walls revealed in Locus 10 is suggestive of the presence of the anomaly, but is unable to be confirmed until further excavation takes place. Moreover, no evidence of architecture was uncovered in either CB-61 or CB-62 and therefore the trenches were unable to clarify the relationship between the occupational phases of CB, CC, and the Piano del Tesoro; nor were the finds from the 2012 season able to be clarified by the material recovered from CB-61.

While a number of datable finds were uncovered in CB-61, it has been determined that the majority of loci represent erosional contexts and thus mixed matrices of chronologically secure deposits. The absence of medieval pottery, cut vegetation from recent deforestation events, and other evidence of modern intrusion after Locus 2 suggests that the loci subsequent are representative of contextually secured stratigraphic deposits. However, these deposits may represent ancient erosion from higher on the hill because of the poor quality of artifact preservation and the absence of context. Similarly, the unusual stone feature in Loci 4 and 5 is possibly the result of erosional activity in the area.

The fine, loose soil of Locus 7 , coupled with the absence of artifacts and the presence of a concentration of vegetation debris, suggests that Locus 7 is an animal den.

Locus 8 recovered more materials overall, with larger quantities of pottery and tile, as well as a higher diversity of material type, than found in any other previous locus. Materials recovered from this locus and the subsequent loci were generally of a higher quality of preservation. Noteworthy are a sherd of braided pottery, ridged bucchero, and a possible siglum fragment, and a statue fragment ( 20160035

). Additionally, large fragments of at least one and possibly two well-preserved pithoi from Loci 8 and 10 suggest a more immobile context, potentially caught by the stone feature emerging at the bottom of Locus 10 . It is likely that Locus 8 represents the latest depositional phase of securely contextualized material.

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