Cetamura del Chianti (Civitamura), Research Results

The 2007 season at Cetamura produced many new developments in the sanctuary of the Etruscan artisans (Building L; see the maps at Figs. 17 and 18). Work continued near the large rock altar found in 2005, in the sanctuary courtyard. Below the sacrificial deposit discovered in 2006 (now known as Votive Feature (VF) 1A), were found two more deposits, VF 1B (Fig. 1) and VF 1C. In addition three other repository areas were identified (VFs 2, 3 and 4). Taken together these provide a bonanza of information on Etruscan rituals and sacrificed votive objects, consistent with the findings from 2005-2006, but adding in many new details and providing great insights. All dating indicators confirm activity in the second half of the second century BCE. Read more in the full PDF. . .

A major project during the years 2000-2006 was the excavation to bedrock of two large and deep units located on an escarpment between Zone I and Zone II (fig. 1 and fig. 2); these were 3x6 meter rectangles which in places were sunk to depths of two or more meters. These units on the edge of Zone I (Area G) provided an excellent cross section of stratigraphy of the site; at the bottom were traces of two parallel Etruscan sandstone walls, 4.5 m. distant, dating ca. 325-300 BCE, interpreted as the sides of an entrance gate to the citadel (fig. 3 and fig. 4). Within the same level were found two large pits in the bedrock (Trashpit I, 2002; Trashpit II, 2005) filled with discarded debris from the Etruscan kitchen and table: animal bones, local wares for cooking and storing, and fragments of fine table wares. The pits actually probably join, but it was not possible to excavate them entirely, since they run underneath a wall of the baths of the Roman villa. Among the special finds were two tools made from the worked antlers of a deer, possibly a pestle and an awl (Trashpit I; fig. 5). Near Trashpit II were found 30 joining frangments of a ceramic mortarium, including the spout on the rim (fig. 6); the vessel was sufficiently preserved to show the diameter at ca. 52cm. Read more in the full PDF. . .

Excavations at the hilltop of Cetamura del Chianti (695m above sea level) near Siena by Florida State University have unearthed a habitation with a long and diverse history, encompassing an Etruscan settlement, a Roman villa, and a medieval fort. Each period has multiple chronological phases. The excavations are conducted under the supervision and with permission of the Soprintendenza Archeologica per la Toscana, Acting Director Dr. Carlotta Cianferoni. The site was originally discovered in 1964 by Alvaro Tracchi, of San Giovanni Valdarno. A detailed description of results obtained up until the year 2000 is provided by the catalogue of an exhibition on Cetamura held in that year, Cetamura Antica, Tradizioni del Chianti, at the Centro di Informazione Turistica, Gaiole in Chianti. The catalogue, edited by Nancy T. de Grummond, is available in English and in Italian (tr. by Alba Frascarelli) and provides a listing of essential bibliography up to 2000 (pp. 43-44). Read more in the full PDF. . .