Late Antique village unearthed in Castelfranco during excavations for new radiotherapy bunker

Late Antique village unearthed in Castelfranco during excavations for new radiotherapy bunker

An archaeological excavation carried out north of Parco Bolasco, as part of preparatory works for a radiotherapy bunker, has revealed a substantial settlement dated between the 4th and 7th centuries AD. The find is important for local history and for understanding the transition from the late Roman Empire to the Early Middle Ages.

Site overview

• Area investigated: more than 4,500 square metres;
• Domestic structures: about 19 huts identified, including some attributable to Germanic or Slavic contexts;
• Finds recovered: pottery fragments, an iron knife, a coin and a bronze ring;
• Burials: two graves recorded, one of a woman (40–45 years) and one of a child (around 9 years), both without grave goods.

The excavation campaign ran from June 2024 to January 2025 under the scientific supervision of the regional archaeology authority, with a technical team from the contracting company; a team of archaeologists logged nearly 5,000 hours of fieldwork.

Impact on construction and next steps

The discovery required adjustments to the construction timetable for the radiotherapy facility: works have been delayed by several months to allow for archaeological investigation and protection measures. Health authorities and site managers coordinated with the archaeological service to minimise disruption and plan subsequent operations.

Recovered material and human remains will undergo specialist analyses to determine demographic, cultural and functional aspects of the settlement. Results are intended to enrich the archaeological record of the area and, where appropriate, to be included in municipal museum collections following documentation and study.

Why this matters

• It provides evidence for a relatively understudied period locally – the Late Antique era (4th–7th centuries);
• It offers data on interactions between local populations and Germanic or Slavic groups in the region;
• It helps build a fuller picture of settlement evolution around Castelfranco.

Official updates and scientific reports will be published by the regional archaeology authority and the local administration as analyses progress.