Conclusion

329

The aims of excavation for VT8 and the surrounding areas were partially met, and in some respects others were exceeded this season. The upper strata as excavated uncovered a large amount of mixed materials which are likely erosional artifacts from the hill located to the west of the area of excavation. In VT8 a floor surface was uncovered that extended across Loci 4 , 5 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . This floor surface appears to date to the late 4th century BCE, owing to ceramics recovered from a similar context in VT7. The number of pithoi fragments and textile objects (e.g. 20155001 20155001 , 20155031 20155031 , 20155069 20155069 ), together with a column base, and a wall in VT7, allow us to tentatively identify the area as part of a courtyard that may have been covered in some manner, perhaps in the form of a loggia. This is supported by the large number of tile fragments, and in some cases complete tiles recovered in packings in areas of the trench, namely Locus 9 and Locus 4. Along with this in VT10 a gully/rip-rap was discovered running on the outside of the wall, which strongly suggests it acted as a drainage feature to protect the wall and possibly divert rainwater from features uphill further to the west.

Moreover, this area is substantially, perhaps 5m higher, than the areas excavated in 2006 and the 1970s, which are due east of the area of excavation in 2015. Owing to this we tentatively suggest that the floor surface represents an area above that of the structures associated with fornos uncovered previously, probably in a terraced area. This enables us to postulate that this area of Vescovado was terraced in antiquity.

330

331

Our aim for recovering evidence for occupation in Vescovado contemporary to either the 6th or 7th century BCE structures on Poggio Civitate was unsuccessful. No material evidence suggested any such occupation, furthermore the sounding (Locus 5 and 6 ) revealed sterile soil.

In sum the excavation of VT8 and the surrounding areas was ultimately successful. It has revealed another important facet to understanding ancient activity in Vescovado di Murlo. Moreover, it appears that the courtyard, and likely associated buildings must extend to the west of the area of excavation, making it an enticing area to investigate in future years.

Final Coordinates for VT8 as calculated by GIS. Note these may be marginally different to those in the Trench Layout.

VT8

NW -13.7E, -6.14N

NE -8.79E, -5.1N

SE -8.18E, -8.03N

SW -13.08E, -9.09N

VT8 Extension (1x5m north of original trench)

NW -13.92E, -5.17N

NE -9.01e, -4.14N

SE -8.8E, -5.11N

SW -13.69E, -6.14N