Field Reports from the end of the 1999 Field Season TRENCH PC 13 Field Supervisor Justin Winkler Report 4: July 23 Justin Winkler (top) supervising his crew in Trench PC 13: Adelea Fussell, Susie Garst, Chris Parrott, and Carol Usher Now that the field season is drawing to a close excavation has intensified. The architectural foundations mentioned previously are more clear and can definitively be dated to the last phase of the Poggio Colla’s occupation. The designation of this period is known as phase III and refers to the Hellenistic period. Our initial hypotheses proposed the existence of a sacred structure; possibly an Etruscan temple. Unfortunately, the orientation of the walls and the dimensions of the overall "building" do not seem to coincide with the extant evidence elsewhere in Etruria. Whatever type of building existed it was certainly tremendous in size, however, we have not answered enough questions and must continue our excavation efforts for yet another year. Nevertheless, our efforts have not been entirely without answers. In fact, excavation in trench 13 seems to have provided plausible evidence for a smaller structure that would have been related to trench 9 of 1997 also excavated by myself. It is likely that this small rectangular structure oriented east/west was integrated with the larger building. Its function is still unclear though, and will again require further excavation. Moreover, the paucity of artifacts in trench 13 this season has been very uncharacteristic compared to previous years. This may be a result of the Hellenistic phase re-use and/or reworking of the site relative to the construction and development of Poggio Colla’s various superimposed structures. Our chronology, although, is still in accordance with past excavations and will undoubtedly continue to be refined. Report 5: July 30 The extraordinary architectural remains at Poggio Colla continue to pose perplexing questions even as we near the end of our field season. As I mentioned previously, archaeology often produces more questions than answers, thereby prompting a great deal of excavation and research in order to achieve at least some knowledge of past social phenomena. This year has been no exception to this rule. Nevertheless, our endeavors have still proven successful. Although the architectural plan of the monumental building is beginning to form a cohesive unit, we are still uncertain about the structure’s use. Recent numismatic evidence and refined stratigraphic interpretation seem to indicate a unified development during a later, longer phase III. Unfortunately, we were unable to completely excavate the designated size of Trench 13. Hopefully, in the coming season or two, a research strategy will be established which will focus further upon this area of the site. Ultimately, this should assist scholars in understanding the Etruscan presence with respect to their physical and social surroundings.   Final view of Trench PC 13 from the east. Final view of Trench PC 13 from the south. Final view of Trench PC 13 from the west. Final view of Trench PC 13 from the north. Field Reports from the end of the 1999 Field Season Director's Diary Field Director's Diary Trench PC 14 Trench PC 15 Trenches PC 16 & 17 Trench PC 18 Trenches PF 2 & PF 3 Conservator's Report Student Diary After December 2000, see the 1999 Annual Report for the season summary by Professor Gregory Warden.