RSAF funding report: KNAPP (2018)

The Bregatorto Project

In May and June 2018, I participated in the second year of survey and test excavations run by Dr.
Paolo Visonà, Dr. George Crothers, (both of the University of Kentucky) and me. I took with
me current Langara student, Mikayla Smith, former Langara student (now at UBC), Paolo
Crestani, and we were joined by former Langara student Amber Sammon, who arranged
independently through Dr. Visonà to attend. Both Paolo and Amber came with me in 2017 and
were excited to return. The non-profit Foundation for Calabrian Archaeology, which funded the
excavation, covered my room & board, and I had funding from my deans, then Jacqueline
Bradshaw (Social Sciences) and Ian McBain (Arts) to cover my plane ticket. As Paolo was
returning and had been of exceptional help in 2017 and was expected to be similarly useful this
year, the Foundation also gave $400 USD towards his room and board. Partial funding for Paolo
and Mikayla’s accommodations was provided through the RSAF grant and I also purchased an
educator’s license for photogrammetry software (Agisoft Photoscan) with the remaining grant
money.
2018 was a successful field season, although we were somewhat hampered by poor weather
conditions. The team was led by Dr. Visonà (Field Director); Dr. Crothers (geophysical survey);
and me (pottery/photogrammetry). Our excavators included 3 American volunteers, my 3
current/former students, 2 PhD students (one from the University of Kentucky, working with Dr.
Crothers; the other from Croatia, where she is currently also a curator at a museum in Split), and
a local Italian archaeology graduate. I supervised 2 trenches, took photos and created 3D models
of the trenches, and studied the pottery that we found.
We spent the first week of excavations at Coculedi, where we hoped to identify the function of
the site. We identified several walls, suggesting the boundaries of the structure, and a possible
hearth. There was, however, little cultural material found this year and thus the identification of
the site still remains a mystery. Further, large-scale excavation is needed to properly study the
site. I was able to confirm the dating of the site that I had proposed in 2017.
Most of the excavation season focused on the fort site at Bregatorto. While we excavated at
Coculedi, Dr. Crothers, his PhD student, with the help of Mikayla or Amber (alternating days),
completed another GPR survey of Bregatorto with a higher resolution antenna. We then moved
to the site to excavate several small test trenches. As at Coculedi, we were able to confirm the
locations of several walls and identify the likely gate into the fort. I supervised a trench that
identified the eastern internal wall face and a possible cobble floor. I also took over the trench
that captured part of the gate, where we found a wall and the eastern half of the gate. In that
trench, Paolo Crestani and I found a complete bowl, which is extremely unusual.
The photogrammetry models were successful, although I look forward to refining my technique.
They are also better if they are measured in with a total station, which the excavation does not
currently have. I am in the process now of using them to create drawings of the trenches at
various stages of excavation. I was also able to model the complete bowl that was found, and I
will hopefully be able to print it in Langara’s Makerspace lab so that we can have a model of the

vessel. It is an unusual form, and I plan to use the model to consult with other experts in
Hellenistic pottery.
We now have a better idea of where to open large-scale trenches and what kind of questions need
to be asked and answered. Our current plans are to hold a study season in Summer 2019, during
which I might start work on the set of pottery from Oppido Mamertina that I gained access to in
2017. I would hope to have student help with this project as it needs to be completed quickly.
We are also planning a volume on forts/outposts in the Aspromonte associated with the ancient
city of Locri. This volume would publish Monte Palazzi, excavated by our team in 2005, 2007,
2008, and 2010, and Bregatorto. I will publish the pottery from both sites in this volume, likely
with Paolo Crestani’s help.
Further plans for the excavation will be affected by Dr. Visonà, who has stated his intention to
retire from running excavations. He has suggested that I take over the excavation and I am
seriously considering applying for a field school section to run a small archaeological field
school in summer 2020. We would focus only on Coculedi and try to identify what the site was
used for, as well as its extent. At least 4 current/former students have recently expressed interest
in participating.
I will, of course, take part in the 2019 Scholarly Café with more exciting photos (and 3D
models!) from this past season.
The students and I appreciate the funding from Langara for this season; we and the excavation
benefitted from their presence and the photogrammetry techniques are new and exciting. I have
been getting advice from Professor Kevin Fisher at UBC regarding the implementation of
photogrammetry and beyond the scholarly benefits, the stronger connection forged with him and
the Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies at UBC is also a benefit.
Mikayla says that this season helped her realise that she definitely wants to work in archaeology
and she and I will discuss her attending a field school next summer. Paolo continues to be
trained by us; he is now working on his BA in Classical Archaeology at UBC. I hope to continue
having his assistance.

The complete vessel, in situ.

The complete vessel, cleaned and photographed

for 3D modelling.

Mikayla Smith, excavating for the first time.

Paolo Crestani, excavating a roof collapse.

E end of the gate. Paolo Crestani (left) and an American volunteer (right), excavating.
All photos of archaeological materials or sites cannot be published in any way without assent of
the excavation director; they are provided here for internal informational purposes only.