The settlements in the area of the Poggio Colla sanctuary.

Description

A program of surface investigations has been carried out in the area around the Poggio Colla acropolis. In particular, one sector, located northwest of the acropolis, the so-called Podere Funghi, has been excavated since 1997. Among the various elements that have emerged, of particular interest are several well-preserved pottery kilns. Such kilns were in fact used to produce fine pottery bowls, some of which were later discovered on the Poggio Colla acropolis. it is clear that the Podere Funghi offers us rare and important evidence of Etruscan pottery production in an area that has nearby necessary natural resources, such as water, wood and clay. In addition, further excavations have provided evidence for the existence of other structures and kilns, in the fields surrounding Podere Funghi. it is possible that the site was part of what may have been a network of production and habitation areas located on the slopes below the Poggio Colla sanctuary. In any case, the local pottery found is of accurate workmanship: the bowls on a high foot, characterized by a remarkable variety of motifs obtained by incision and stamping, are of considerable importance. The function of these types of vessels is not well understood. Indeed, some have burned parts and holes have been drilled in the center of the bowl. Also particular are the fragments of architectural elements found. These are in particular tiles. In some cases tiles were found that were reused to form a pavement, while in other cases tiles with holes have come to light, which served as an aeration and lighting system