2010 DIRECTORS' DIARIES P. Gregory Warden, Southern Methodist University Michael Thomas, The University of Texas   Directors Greg Warden (left) and Michael Thomas (right)   Final Report - Michael Thomas: After finishing a very successful season, I have a lot to be happy about. We had a great staff and great students this year--too many to thank here--who deserve a great deal of credit for our success. We were able to avoid the dark rain clouds that rolled in over the Apennines and threatened to rain out the last week (our farewell dinner got a bit drenched, though). Yet, one dark cloud we did not avoid hung over us all summer; it was the destruction of the Podere Funghi by ploughing last fall.  For reasons that none of us understand, the field was ploughed where we have spent a decade excavating and conducting research. The site was well marked and fenced off. Michael Thomas (kneeling,) examines plough destruction of Podere Funghi trenches I took some students up to look at the site (I could barely bring myself to go).   The damage is systematic and irreparable.  The stones of the workshop building--a one of a kind preserved context for ancient Etruria--are all visible on the surface, ripped from their foundations by deep ploughing. Sections of ancient kilns are also visible, completely destroyed and unusable for further research.  I ran the first trench in the Podere Funghi (excavating a midden in 1998) and through years of study saw the site grow into a remarkable resource and document of the Etruscan world.  It is very hard for me to even consider the extent of damage suffered by the site. Moreover, it is hard to imagine why anyone would do this.  We are now working closely with the Soprintindenza in Florence to address this egregious act.  We hope in the future that we will be able to return to salvage some of the context. To see what was lost in the Podere Funghi, visit these pages: 2005 Podere Funghi Trenches excavated by Katy Blanchard 2004 Podere Funghi Trenches excavated by Robert Belanger 2004 Podere Funghi Trenches excavated by Katy Blanchard 2003 Podere Funghi Trenches excavated by Robert Belanger 2003 Podere Funghi Trenches excavated by Katy Blanchard In addition to the pages listed above, go to Project History, and Archives, to locate other trenches and earlier years of excavation in the Podere Funghi. The Podere Funghi has been referred to fondly as the FOD, for Field of Dreams, which is what it was to all of us who have worked on this project. Michael Thomas and Biscuit Directors Michael Thomas and Greg Warden   Directors Greg Warden and Michael Thomas discuss the site plan   Final Report - Greg Warden:   Director Greg Warden with his nephews Chris Warden (left) and Matt Warden (right) who worked on the dig in 2010.   Architect Jess Galloway and Director Greg Warden opening Trench PC 44   Directors Greg Warden and Michael Thomas opening Trench PC 44   Greg Warden observes progress in Trench PC 43     Special Page