2009 TRENCH PC 33 Field Supervisor: Cameron Turley, Southern Methodist University    Opening Report    Final Report Field Supervisor Cameron Turley   Opening Report: Another exciting season at Poggio Colla has begun. The sunflowers are blooming, the wheat is popping, and the clear days are warming. Some are excited to be here for the first time, while others share a common feeling of coming home. Trench PC 33, first opened in the 2008 field season, produced in short order exciting finds and data crucial to our understanding of the archaic population of the Mugello Valley. Important information concerning the final destruction and abandonment of the acropolis was uncovered. Weeks later, the discovery of a column base set long ago raised new questions about the hilltop sanctuary. The season ended with questions answered, yet more still are being asked. We have re-opened PC 33 so that we may address these new, intellectually enticing questions. In PC 33 our primary goal is to fill in the blanks in our knowledge opened up by last year's discovery of the early column base. Utilizing a multifarious approach of careful excavation, thoughtful interpretation, and drawing on the knowledge of the many experts involved with the project, we will provide the column base, and the trench in its entirety, with context. This context is a piece of the puzzle critical to our understanding of Etruscan activities in the Mugello. A concern no less important than the one described is the training of our students in the principals of archaeological inquiry. I can think of no finer place to learn. View from the northwest of Trench PC 33 during Week 3 The trench is sinking. Already exciting finds and data flood our laboratories and notebooks. We are beginning to answer to our objectives and, as expected, more questions are being raised. The students, without whom the realization of our goals would be nigh impossible, began showing their value from the word go. They are energetic, inquisitive, and likely more bright than I could hope to be. Already individual strengths are blossoming and working relationships coalescing. With such a capable crew and the promise of important archaeology, PC 33 will certainly prove to be a wealth of exciting discoveries in the 2009 season. Assistant Field Supervisor Mike Guarino   Cameron Turley with the column base in PC 33   PC 33 crew at work during Week 2   Maia Van Dyke working northeast of the column base in PC 33   Bill Beck sifting for finds from Trench PC 33   Erica Koppenhoefer taking a pass in PC 33   Jessica Aither defining scarp in a tight spot   Bill Beck and Danielle Belanger entering data in their notebooks   View of Trench PC 33 from the west with Mike Guarino at the desk   Cameron Turley directs his crew in PC 33 during Week 4; view from the southeast   Progress in PC 33 during Week 4     Final Report Field Supervisor Cameron Turley explains PC 33 during trench tours The 2009 field season has come to a close. The once green students, now experienced and confident excavators, have performed beyond all expectations. Trench PC 33 owes Maia, Jessica, Erica, Danielle, and Bill a tremendous dept of gratitude. Our productivity waxed strong due to their skills, determination, and intelligence. PC 33 Team, a.k.a. The Bronze Lumps (top to bottom): Cameron Turley, Maia Van Dyke, Danielle Belanger, Jessica Aither, and Bill Beck (missing in photo: Mike Guarino) As planned, we excavated around the aforementioned column base revealing much information concerning its context. The evidence suggests that it is not in its original context and was reused in antiquity. We saw no indication of ritual burial. Rather, we can say with some confidence that its placement served a more practical purpose as part of an architectural foundation. The function of said foundation, however, is still up for debate. Profile of large column base in Trench PC 33, at the end of Week 4 To further fuel our interest, a second, highly fragmented column base, which originally appeared to be a large piece of sandstone, was removed from not a trowel's breadth east of our original base. Presumably it served in the same capacity as our more intact element. It is curious that two such pieces should be placed as they were. Was there indeed some sort of ritual intent? The evidence does not lend itself to such an interpretation, but we cannot dismiss entirely the possibility. View from west of Trench PC 33 during Week 6 As it was before, so it is again. We have learned much, yet new questions beg for answers. My unequaled assistant, Mike Guarino, and I extend our thanks to the crew of PC 33, a peerless group of diggers. May they all go forth and live in contentment and success. Keep it clean. Mike Guarino and Cameron Turley keep the field notebook up to date   Bill Beck, Danielle Belanger, Maia Van Dyke, and Jessica Aither   Erica Koppenhoefer in Trench PC 33   Danielle Belanger defining scarp   Bill Beck completing excavation in trench PC 33   Erica Koppenhoefer perfecting the south scarp of Trench PC 33   Jessica Aither shows off her scarp definition   Jessica Aither, Danielle Belanger, and Maia Van Dyke in "the coffin"   Final photo of Trench PC 33, from the north   Final photo of Trench PC 33, from the east   Final photo of Trench PC 33, from the south   Final photo of Trench PC 33, from the west   Backfilling Trench PC 33 at the end of the season   Maia Van Dyke: not afraid of dirt