Introduction

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During the winter of \'75-\'76, the north/northeast slope of Poggio Civitate was cleared by woodsmen of the overgrowth which concelaed its contours.  The removal of most of the brush revealed a series of sloping terraces running down the hillside, beginning at a level approx. 3 meters below the level of the "north extension" building.

The only previous excavation on the terrace was carried out by Erik Nielson in 1971.  A first cut 1 meter wide and 6 meters in length was dug vertically down the slope of the hill from T-17 in grids 16-18 (see EN II p. 1 ).  No finds were recorded from this operation.

It can be surmised that remains from the Upper Building or the rooms of the "north extension" may have rolled down the slope.  There is as well

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the possibility that subsidiary buildings may be on the more level portions of the first terrace.

The grid system to be used for the terrace area will run in accordance with the numberical sequence running west to east which was established for T-17, T-18, and T-19.

See EN II p. 1 , JN I p. 185 , GW IV p. 4 , GW V p. 227 , and JM II p. 130 .

The terrace area will be designated North Terrace to distinguish it from the Tesoro sequence which pertains to the area lying between the Upper Building and the edge of the hill.  The point which the north wall of the "north extension terminates (Tesoro grid?)

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is now considered the boundary of the Tesoro area.  North Terrace II begins in the next grid to the north.  The grids running from south to north begin at the point in alphabetical order.

Work will begin in grids 28-30 progressing vertically down the slope.  It is intended that this work will establish a relationship between any buildings yet to be uncovered on the terrace and the Upper Building/North Extension complex.