Research Summary
Populonia, Livorno, Italy - Situated in a strategic part of the bay, next to a navigable inland lake and to the great Campiglia mines, Populonia was for centuries (from 900 BCE to 100 CE) one of the most significant centers of iron smelting and trade in the Mediterranean. The transfer of the city to Roman rule (250/200 BCE) did not halt its metalworking activities: iron exports supported the Roman expansion in Africa, and the Augustan ruling class (50 BCE - 50 CE) had important economic interests in the area’s industrial production and commerce.
The ancient maritime settlement of Poggio del Molino is located in the heart of the former territory of Populonia, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. This excavation aims to fill key gaps in our knowledge of the industrial history and coastal economy of Populonia and its region, from the early Roman period (250/200 BCE) to the early Middle Ages (600 CE). The project results will offer a more profound understanding of the industrial aspects of Roman rule and territorial exploitation, given the site’s strategic position near natural resources. With treasure hunters, looters, and even development pressures threatening the integrity of the site, your help is needed to secure the past before they are lost forever.
The most impressive tombs found at the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park were buried beneath iron slagheaps between the 4th and the 1st century BC left by smelting work carried out in Populonia. The iron slag was excavated at the beginning of the twentieth century, but many tombs were partially destroyed by machines used to collect slag. At the Earthwatch project’s excavation site, it is believed that volunteers will help discover the remains of an industrial building used between the 4th and the 1st century B.C. and, underneath, a portion of Etruscan necropolis (7th-4th century B.C.).
You’ll have a chance to employ skills from all relevant archaeological and historical disciplines to reconstruct the area’s complex past as fully as possible.
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Andrea Camilli
Dr Camilli is the Principal Director of the Cantiere delle Navi Antiche di Pisa and of the Centro di Restauro del Legno Bagnato, and was the Project Manager in the creation of the Museo delle Navi Antiche. He earned his Ph.D. in Archaeology at Scuola Nazionale di Archeologia (Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza"). His main research interests and publications include ancient topography and urbanism of ancient Italy, the archaeology of the villa and small settlements, using G.I.S in archaeology, maritime and underwater archaeology, and wood conservation. With the Centro di Restauro del Legno Bagnato he works on the methodology for conservation of organic materials and new technologies for archaeology. Dr Camilli’s other interests include hiking, cooking, reading and drawing (especially comic-strips). There may be a possibility that Dr Camilli will visit the site whilst you are there.
Dr. Giandomenico De Tommaso
Università di Firenze
Dr. Carolina Megale
Archeodig Project