Introduction

Civitate C 9 is a three by three-meter trench opened in the 2008 season in the low-lying area south of the Orientalizing workshop and a few meters north of the medieval road. Related excavation in the area includes CC 3, 4 and 6 (SW I/NW I 1969), CC 7 (JAH/JLL II 2007), CC 7 Extension (AJC/ARR 1 2008) and CC 8 (AMA/CGM II 2007), which was 9 meters east of CC 7. CC 9, adjacent to CC 7, shares its southern border with a portion of CC 7.

Like CC 8, CC 9 is a response to the discoveries made in CC 7 in the 2007 season. CC 7 revealed an oval feature of medium-sized rocks in dark, carbon-rich soil with a clear border defined by surrounding sterile soil. The soil around the rocks was rich in domestic material, containing impasto and coarseware that dates to the Orientalizing phase of habitation on Piano del Tesoro, as well as loom weights and rocchetti. The soil delineation and artifact concentration within the feature suggest a possible foundation for light architecture. Alternatively, a large deposit of murex shells uncovered in the center of the rock feature may point to industry and also indicates that the presence of the rock feature cannot likely be explained by erosion, since, the shells are not native to the area.

Trench CC 8 was excavated in 2007 to determine whether the area east of CC 7 contained a similar spread of stones, but yielded no results. The findings of the 1969 excavation nearby remain paticularly nebulous, although intriguing, with the result that the rock feature in CC 7 is so far the only documented sign of activity in the Civitate C area that merits further excavatio. The goals of CC 9 are:

1. To bring the trench down to the level of the rock feature in CC 7 and identify any soil distinctions, which may indicate post holes or other architectural elements, confirming that the feature represents a foundation.

2. If it is established that we are dealing with a building, to look for domestic or industrial material to identify the function of the area.

3. To establish a chronology of the feature through any datable material and determine whether it is concurrent with the structures on Piano del Tesoro.