Excavations of Colle Plinio
In the areas around San Giustino several remains of ancient Roman villas were found: It is believed that Pliny the Younger spent long periods of time in the location now bearing his name, Colle Plinio (Pliny Hill). Excavations under the Archaeological Superintendence of Umbria started in 1974 following the rearrangement of an agricultural land that considerably lowered (60-70cm) the field of Santa Fiora, a vast area between the creeks Lama and Valdimonte, near the village of Colle Plinio. The area in which ancient wall remains were found extends for about 250m (from the creek Valdimonte to the road to Colle Plinio) and 200m from the boundaries of villa Cappelletti. Roman coins, probably grave goods, were also found in the square before the farmhouse in the north-eastern corner of the Cappelletti park, 800m from the wall remains in the Santa Fiora field. All these elements prove that this is a primary archaeological site (as of now one of the most important in the Upper Tiber Valley).
In the excavation area, wall remains made of river pebbles were found. Agricultural works carried out in different periods have almost completely destroyed the archaeological remains in the field of Santa Fiora, most likely the site of Pliny’s villa.
We know that mosaics, columns, marble statues, capitals and inscriptions were found. In the trenches between the vine rows several fragments of walls and floors were discovered; a clear sign that at the time of implant of the vines (early 900’s) at least part of the ancient floors was still there.
The awful state of preservation of structures and layers now makes it almost impossible to have an idea of the original look of the complex, the distribution of the rooms and outdoor areas, the identification of boundaries and the walkways and, finally, the chronology of the works carried out.