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Conclusion:

The excavation of CB-46 has been highly informative and highly successful in achieving its goals. Although excavation did not clarify a relationship between this area of Civitate B and the area containing CB 35, 38, and 39, the stratigraphy and topography of the area was greatly clarified and a good deal of dateable architectural material was recovered from a securely ancient context.

Within 20 centimeters of excavation a rock packing was discovered across the entirety of the trench surface. The rocks ranged in size from 5-10cm to 20-25cm in diameter. Interspersed within the rocks was a substantial quantity of dateable architectural terracotta, including frieze plaque fragments and one feline head protome.

The density and organization of rocks at this layer suggests that the feature was man made. This hypothesis was most substantiated by the delineations uncovered in the two extensions of CB-46.

The two extensions of CB-46 were successful in finding clear northern and southern boundaries of the feature. In the north, a very compact terracotta mound (part of the feature) ended at 29.9mS; the area north of this point almost entirely lacked material. In the south, the rocks ended at 33.6mS; past

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this point (33.6mS-35mS) the soil changed markedly to a yellow soil with outcroppings of deteriorating rock. Though the northern and southern extents of this ancient feature were unearthed, the western and eastern boundaries are uncertain. CB-45 and CB-49 to the west of CB-46 unearthed identical features that connect with that found within CB-46. It appears as though, in an east/west plane, the course of the rock feature interspersed with terracotta continues. In this vein, the full extent of the feature remains unknown and encourages additional excavation.

While numerous hypotheses were voiced throughout the season as to the function of the feature, its purpose remains indefinite. That said, its discovery suggests occupation of this area of Poggio Civitate during or post dating the archaic period. The course and composition of this feature offers a more comprehensive understanding of the possible activity taking place in this area, though more excavation is needed to positively identity its function and relationship to Civitate B.

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