Forcello, Bagnolo San Vito (Mantova) : Indagini in corso sulla struttura dell’abitato etrusco

Here, we present the results of the ongoing research at the Padanian Etrurian trading settlement of Bagnolo San Vito, which flourished between the 6th and the 5th centuries BC. The archaeological investigations focused on two insulae in the central area of the settlement, allowing us to recognize a regular settlement layout, with houses aligned along a NW-SE-oriented street axis, and drainage channels as well. A geophysical survey has made it possible to extend the research on the whole settlement (12 ha) and the extra-urban area. The preliminary data obtained from this research provide for the first time an overall plan of the settlement, which is characterized by an ortogonal, urban design. Further research is primarily needed to ground-truth the new evidence from the non-invasive investigations and explore more extensively the extra-urban area through geophysical survey.