Introduction

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Introduction

An area approximately 30 meters to the south of trenches Civitate B (CB) 54 (AJC III ), CB-55 ( FGT II ), CB-56 ( LHS I ), CB-57 ( EMO III ), and CB-58 ( EC IX ) was cleared for the laying of two trenches. This area was selected for excavation because a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted in 2015 suggested the presence of an anomaly underneath the ground in this area. The nature and exact location of the anomaly are unknown. Additionally, previous work in the area has indicated that this part of the hill was inhabited in antiquity. Most recently, in 2012, the area of CB was cleared of a majority of the vegetation by the Bishop and Misercordia of Siena. The clearing allowed for the opening of trenches CB-54, CB-55, CB-56, CB-57, and CB-58 (see trench books above), which were opened in order to investigate the topographic and archaeological relationship between this area, south of the Piano del Tesoro plateau, and the Archaic and Orientalizing occupational phases of the Piano del Tesoro, which had not been fully excavated before this time. These trenches found evidence of

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erosion from higher locations, as well as hints of architecture in the area (two possible post holes and a potential terracing wall), but how the area of Civitate B related to the Piano del Tesoro still is poorly understood. Therefore, CB-61 will be opened in the area 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.

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