First geophysical survey campaign (Civitalba Project)

From 14 to 23 September, the first geophysical survey campaign took place on the Civitalba plateau, in the municipality of Sassoferrato. This work marks the initial phase of a new research project launched at the start of the summer to redefine the extent and layout of this important Republican-era site, renowned for its Hellenistic terracotta works from the 2nd century BC, including "The Flight of the Galatians" and "The Rest of Dionysus and Ariadne", now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche.

The work has focused on extensive magnetometric mapping of the plateau, a non-invasive survey technique that enables the identification of subsurface anomalies attributable to masonry structures and functional areas without the need for excavation. The primary objective of these initial surveys is to comprehensively map the boundaries of the settlement and its spatial layout.

The initiative stems from a collaboration between the University of Bologna, the British School at Rome, the ARCADIA research centre and the Soprintendenza ABAP for the provinces of Ancona and Pesaro-Urbino, with the support of Sassoferrato Municipality, laying the foundations for a multi-year survey programme in the area.