Archaeological Excavation

The Campo della Fiera Archaeological site.

One of the proof for the strong socio-political and economic importance of Orvieto – Volsinii – Velzna during the Etruscan period (VIth to IIIth c. B.C.) can be detected analyzing the harsh treatment the city suffered by the Romans in 264 B.C., when it was conquered after two years of siege. According to Greek historians more than 2000 bronze statues were looted from the Fanum Voltumnae, the sanctuary of the Etruscan confederation, and of the major god Voltumna, removed (evocated) to Rome. The exact site of the sanctuary has always been discussed, but scholars now agree that it should be located in the area of modern Orvieto. In a place called Giardino della regina (Garden of the Queen) in 1876 several terracotta pieces pertaining to a temple decoration were found (they are now in Berlin), together with remains of buildings, Etruscan and Roman tombs, paved roads. Since September 2000 the Università di Macerata, Dipartimento di Scienze Archeologiche e Storiche dell'Antichità, under the direction of Simonetta Stopponi, full professor of Etruscology and Italic Archaeology, started a dig in the Giardino della Regina area, at Campo della Fiera, with Dr. Claudio Bizzarri as Field Director. Important results were achieved immediately and the 2002 season will concentrate on the archaeological investigation of the previously exposed remains: an Etruscan paved road with tombs and water channels on both sides, a big Etruscan wall built in the "telaio" technique (a specific Etruscan Vth century B.C. masonry technique), the 13th century church of S. Pietro in Vetera (S. Peter "on the old", meaning that other preceding structures may hide under the Christian building), a church that disappeared in the 16th century and was again brought to light in the 2001 season.

The dig house is an ex elementary school within walking distance from the dig site, where ca. 40 students will be located. US students will vary from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 10, and the remaining places are reserved for the Università di Macerata students. Also other students will participate, coming from other Italian universities, but being from Orvieto will not be housed in the Tamburino building. Usually the crew starts at 7:30 a.m., breaking for a couple hours to avoid the hottest period, and then goes back to the site until 5:30 p.m. Curfews are organized on a rotation basis. Friday is normally the last digging day in the week, leaving the weekend free for field trips or resting periods.