2001 TRENCH PC 22 Justin Winkler, Field Supervisor Week 5: Left: Bobcat. Right: View of PC 22 from the south with Justin Winkler explaining the walls during trench tours. Various issues have been raised during the past few weeks regarding the architectural foundations at Poggio Colla. Many questions still remain but a somewhat clearer picture is beginning to form with respect to the southwest section of the site area. Many of the images illustrated on this web-page show a perpendicular configuration although with some irregular curving. It is also apparent that at least one additional foundation extends further south and to the west. Earlier assertions focused upon the existence of a singular, discretely organized structure. The evidence presented thus far in Trench PC 22 may indicate otherwise. In fact, the walls uncovered this season may be more indicative of a larger, perhaps even less organized, structural complex. Recent discoveries of poorly preserved brick deposits have proven interesting as well. View of Trench PC 22 from the southeast. View of Trench PC 22 from the south during Week 5. The deposits are not well articulated and only a few have discernable shapes. Soil conditions have degraded much of what remains. Unfortunately, these finds are less clear due to a mixed association with terracotta roof tile fragments, pottery, and some sandstone, many of which offer few clues. Currently, the idea of floor packing has been presented as the most valid interpretation. Until further observation and excavation in the last remaining weeks, we must continue to think of possibilities integral to understanding the site not only as a whole, but in relation to the Podere Funghi as well. Wall detail in Trench PC 22 as seen from the west. Zen garden: Michael Joyce and Caitlin Vacanti (above) and Sarah Nessler (below) remove leaves from PC 22 after last Sunday night's rain. Week 6: Justin Winkler contemplating progress by his crew in the trench. Assistant Field Supervisor Catherine Norman sifting. Much has occurred during the last week of excavation. In regard to the distinct character of each excavation unit, the reconstruction of Etruscan Poggio Colla is still becoming more cohesive. Nonetheless, preparations are being made to answer the many additional questions produced this season. Although the various walls mentioned previously have presented other issues, there still seem to be distinguishing features. According to stratigraphy, it is now clear that the east segment of Trench PC 22 most certainly contained at least a single period of human occupation. Many similar features are also being encountered nearby in PC 23 under the direction of Gretchen Meyers. A uniform deposit of pottery, bone, and metal fragments intermingled with structural material such as brick and terracotta roof tile all have been detected at this level. Moreover, an extraordinarily thick concentration of brick also appears to the west of this central, perpendicular wall; an area lacking in very many artifacts. This feature might be indicative of a different kind of space and/or simply the remnants of a fallen wall. Excavation next season should reveal a great deal more about the cultural level and architectural features. Catherine Norman, Justin Winkler, Kirk Nickel, Sarah Nessler, and Michael Joyce in PC 22. Caitlin Vacanti may be in the distance. Kirk Nickel (left front), Michael Joyce, and Sarah Nessler in PC 22. View of PC 22 from the south, near the end of week six, with Caitlin Vacanti and Michael Joyce. View from the west of foundation stones and rubble in PC 22. Stratigraphy in Trench PC 22. View of Trench PC 22 from the northeast corner. Justin Winkler looks over his crew. Sarah Nessler and Kirk Nickel sifting for finds from Trench PC 22. Michael Joyce excavates between wall stones in Trench PC 22. Caitlin Vacanti loves to dig, even in this challenging area of PC 22. Sarah Nessler excavating in Trench PC 22. Kirk Nickel and Michael Joyce examine a new bucchero find. Assistant Field Supervisor Catherine Norman digging in PC 22. Diggers of PC 22's "Stinky Holes," left to right: Caitlin Vacanti, Sarah Nessler, and Michael Joyce. Kirk Nickel works in a stink-free zone in the background. Kirk Nickel (foreground), Michael Joyce, Sarah Nessler, and Caitlin Vacanti in PC 22. Michael Joyce and Sarah Nessler digging on a cold, rainy afternoon. Clockwise from left: Sarah Nessler, Caitlin Vacanti, Kirk Nickel, and Michael Joyce. Catherine Norman steadies the ladder for Justin Winkler who shoots "aerial" photos of Trench PC 22. Week 7: Trench PC 22 Team: Catherine Norman, Justin Winkler, Kirk Nickel, Caitlin Vacanti, Sarah Nessler, and Michael Joyce. The season is now at an end and we have completed seven years of excavation at Poggio Colla. As mentioned in week one, a great deal of focus this season was to test hypotheses regarding architecture. Although we have successfully discovered additional walls forming part of the main southwestern building, there have been additional finds that complicate our current reconstruction of the site area. Nonetheless, the overall plan of the building is much clearer. Overview from the southwest of Trench PC 22 at the end of the 2001 field season. It is now our attempt to further understand the south parallel walls that seem to extend west beyond the known limits of the currently exposed building. There have been various structural components that have proven rather interesting as well. The dense brick deposits on what would be the west façade of the structure seem to exceed a depth of one meter. It is difficult to ascertain whether this component is indeed a result of wall collapse or actual floor deposition. One of the most surprising features encountered this season occurred in this precise area. A small area of this brick deposit, excavated by Catherine Norman (University of Dallas), revealed a circular disturbance void of any brick material. Further excavation uncovered an exceptionally preserved isolated black glaze cup. In addition, just below this area are the more characteristic brick, roof tile, and stone. Considering the nature of the find's context it now appears that the burial of the artifact was most certainly intentional. The opposing side to this area contains little brick but very explicit stratigraphy perhaps indicative of a floor level. This level appears uniform and homogeneous with other adjacent units including PC 23. There is still speculation as to the nature of this broadly dispersed deposit. It may in fact provide supporting evidence for the southwest building's discrete placement. In other words, this evidence might point to activity related to the structure's interior, whereas the western portion may indeed be comprised of external deposits. Overall, the archaeology at Poggio Colla is continuing to advance our knowledge of rarely known Etruscan settlements. View of the south end of Trench PC 22 from the east. View from the north of Trench PC 23. View from the west of the south end of Trench PC 22. Mudbrick, tile, and coarseware packing near a pit in PC 22 where a black glaze vessel was found. Left: Trench Solidarity: Kirk Nickel, Caitlin Vacanti, and Sarah Nessler wear camouflage in honor of Bobcat Winkler. Right: The ever-surreptitious Catherine Norman. Justin Winkler contemplates PC 22 before discussing it in trench tour. Catherine Norman found a beautiful black-glaze vessel in this small area. Caitlin Vacanti and Sarah Nessler make final drawings of scarp in PC 22. Catherine Norman, Caitlin Vacanti, Kirk Nickel, and Sarah Nessler. Michael Joyce in Trench PC 22.   Notable finds from Trench PC 22: Black glaze vessel from Trench PC 22 before conservation. Black glaze vessel from Trench PC 22 after conservation. Stone point from Trench PC 22. Co-Directors: Gregory Warden gwarden@mail.smu.edu and Michael Thomas mlthomas@mail.utexas.edu Excavation house phone during the field season: (011-39) 055-844-9834