Discovering Italy's Ancient Etruscan and Roman Coast
Location
Italy: Livorno
Description
Expedition Summary
Help Earthwatch save the cultural treasures of a Roman villa, or uncover an Etruscan burial ground, both overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea along Tuscany's stunning central coast.
Expedition Details
The year 2012 brings an intriguing new site to this archaeological project. During May and June, you'll excavate the Etruscan coastal necropolis - a burial ground - of San Cerbone, at the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park. You'll investigate a portion of the Park stratigraphically, verify the site's history, and find out what structures have occurred. It is the most important place to discover and understand the lives of the people who lived in Populonia between the 7th and the 1st century BC.
From September to October, you'll continue to help save a nearly-forgotten treasure trove of ancient Roman culture at the Roman maritime settlement of Poggio del Molino. You'll fill key gaps in our knowledge of the industrial history and coastal economy of Populonia and its territory, from the early Roman period (250/200 BCE) to the early Middle Ages (600 CE) and enrich Tuscany's archaeological heritage.
You'll join Dr. Carolina Megale, Dr. Francesco Ghizzani Marcia, and Dr. Giandomenico De Tommaso as you document all finds, carry out experimental archaeology and survey the area surrounding the dig site to collect, clean, and document artefacts such as pottery shards, mosaic, fresco, metal, and coins.
Highlights
Situated in a strategic part of the bay, next to a navigable inland lake and to the great Campiglia mines, Populonia was for centuries (from 900 BCE to 100 CE) one of the most significant centers of iron smelting and trade in the Mediterranean. The transfer of the city to Roman rule (250/200 BCE) did not halt its metalworking activities: iron exports supported the Roman expansion in Africa, and the Augustan ruling class (50 BCE - 50 CE) had important economic interests in the area's industrial production and commerce.
The ancient maritime settlement of Poggio del Molino is located in the heart of the former territory of Populonia, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. This excavation aims to fill key gaps in our knowledge of the industrial history and coastal economy of Populonia and its region, from the early Roman period (250/200 BCE) to the early Middle Ages (600 CE). The project results will offer a more profound understanding of the industrial aspects of Roman rule and territorial exploitation, given the site's strategic position near natural resources. With treasure hunters, looters, and even development pressures threatening the integrity of the site, your help is needed to secure the past before they are lost forever.
The most impressive tombs found at the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park were buried beneath iron slagheaps between the 4th and the 1st century BC left by smelting work carried out in Populonia. The iron slag was excavated at the beginning of the twentieth century, but many tombs were partially destroyed by machines used to collect slag. At the Earthwatch project's excavation site, it is believed that volunteers will help discover the remains of an industrial building used between the 4th and the 1st century B.C. and, underneath, a portion of Etruscan necropolis (7th-4th century B.C.).
You'll have a chance to employ skills from all relevant archaeological and historical disciplines to reconstruct the area's complex past as fully as possible.