Complesso preistorico di Monte Baranta (Olmedo - SS): relazione sulla campagna di scavi 2012

During September and October 2012 archaeological excavations reopened in the prehistoric complex of Monte Baranta (Olmedo -SS), under license to Alberto Moravetti (University of Sassari).The archaeological site of Monte Baranta was partially explored in the years 1979-81 and materials found dated the construction of the complex to the Copper Age (Culture of Monte Claro).In the 2012 campaign have been explored five of the six small huts of the village, while the sixth (hut no. 2), entirely excavated in previous campaigns, has been the object of limited tests outside.In the hut 1, current excavation has brought to light a floor of rough stones of medium and small size, in which is embedded a small quadrangular stone structure, perhaps a hearth (?).The hut 3, also quadrangular, had a similar hearth made on the floor, and another elliptical structure realized with orthostatic stones partially sunken in a central area of the hut (a grave?). The hut 4, only partially preserved, also shows the presence of a small quadrangular structure of stones sunken below the floor level.The huts 5 and 6, contiguous, showed the presence of a pavement stones arranged with a certain care; in the hut 6 is present a probable posthole in a central position, while in the hut 5 has been brought to light the usual quadrangular stone structure sunken below the floor level.The materials found have confirmed the chronology of the structures in the Monte Claro period, while there are no traces of post-Chalcolithic phases.