TRAP Excavations

Introduction
Although there are dozens of documented archaeological sites in the Territory of Castiglione del Lago, very little systematic archaeological excavation has taken place, mainly Etruscan necropoleis and tombs, and the site of Panicarola. Thus, the Trasimeno Regional Archaeological Project has conducted a series of excavations at select Roman sites. One of the primary research goals of the project has been to document the transition between the Etruscan and Roman periods in the territory of Castiglione del Lago and the lower Valdichiana.

2014: La Rocca di Castiglione del Lago
Inside the walls of the 13th century Castle (La Rocca) are the remains of a Medieval chapel. In 2014, a small team from the Umbra Institute and Intrageo conducted excavations in an around the chapel to determine if any evidence of Excavation in and around the structure revealed several Rennaissance burials as well as ceramic material from the Medieval and early Renaissance occupation of Castiglione del Lago. It was determined that there were at least two phases to the construction of the chapel. However, below the Medieval remains there was no indication of previous occupation. For more information on the excavation see our report in the FASTI online: La Rocca di Castiglione del Lago (PG)
Campagna di scavo 2014

2015-2019: The Gioiella Villa (and Cistern)
The Roman Villa at Gioiella is located 11 km southwest of Castiglione del Lago on a low hill overlooking Lago di Chiusi. In 2015, TRAP conducted a surface-survey of the site in order to determine the layout, extent, and chronological range of the Roman site. From 2016 to 2019, excavation was conducted on the lower part of the site, where part of a bath complex was uncovered, and in the Central Area, where there is a large Imperial period nymphaeum, a large structure featuring water displays. These elements indicate that this was a luxury villa and that the Roman proprietors used the villa for entertaining as well as a center for agricultural production. For more information, see the page on the Gioiella Villa and explore the finds from the site.

2022: Ranciano
Ranciano is located about 4 km south of Castiglione del Lago. The presence of a Roman manufacturing site was suspected due to scattered finds and confirmed by remote sensing conducted prior to excavation in 2022. A magnetometry survey indicated the presence of at least three kilns. Excavations revealed the presence of a Medieval lime kiln (12th century) and a Roman habitation area. However, the excavations were cut short when the team discovered the remnants of a WWII mortar shell.

2023 to Present: Via Belvedere
In 2023, TRAP returned to the center of Castiglione del Lago and began excavations on the south slope of the town. On the lower part of the slope there is an arched terrace wall and adjoining water channel that have always been visible. The local residents refer to this area as “Le Buccace.” The TRAP team has not determined that the Roman site occupied at least three terraces and that in the center of the site there is a water-proof basin and, above that, a large paved courtyard. The Via Belvedere site is the first clear evidence of Roman occupation in Castiglione del Lago.