Excavations resume at Montelupo: the royal courtyard of San Quirico

Excavations resume at Montelupo: the royal courtyard of San Quirico resurfaces

Archaeological work has resumed in the Montelupo area, focusing on the so-called royal courtyard of San Quirico. Fieldwork has uncovered features suggesting extended occupation, including preserved structural elements, subterranean rooms and a number of metal finds.

Key discoveries

• Silver coins: numismatic finds that can help date phases of occupation and economic exchanges.
• Underground cellars: hypogeal spaces showing traces of use related to storage and daily activities.
• Architectural remains: walls and foundations currently under study, whose stratigraphic reading is essential to reconstruct the courtyard's layout.

Significance

The new investigations at Montelupo provide insights into settlement patterns and local economies of the past. Finds such as silver coins and underground spaces are direct sources for establishing chronologies, functional uses of areas and networks of exchange.

How to follow developments and visit

No official dates for public openings or guided visits related to the excavations have been announced yet. For authoritative updates, consult the relevant Superintendence, the Municipality of Montelupo and the research teams' communications.

• Check updates: institutional websites and official project pages.
• Visits and safety: active excavations are not always open to the public for protection and safety reasons; guided visits are arranged with authorized staff when possible.
• Practical info: for transport and local services contact the municipal tourist office or local information centers.

Research and analyses are ongoing: the material evidence will require stratigraphic work and laboratory study before establishing precise chronologies and functions. Follow official channels for news on analysis results, potential public openings and related events.