Today South Tyrol and specifically the Trentino represent a very special situation as regards Central Alpine Region research. Not only is it possible to locate numerous hilltop settlements, sometimes they are even known by name due to early medieval records. The current research of the transitional period between Late Antiquity and early Middle Ages in the project “Vergleichende Archäologie römischer Alpen- und Donauländer” takes place in the outer Judicarian Valleys in southwest Trentino. From 2008 until 2015 the fortified hilltop settlement was excavated on Monte San Martino on-site supervision by Marcus Zagermann. In 2016, an excavation campaign was carried out in the valley near the chapel of San Silvestro.

Fortified hilltop settlements can be found in many pre- and protohistoric eras. During the Roman Imperial Period though, they are only known to have started at the end of the third century AD, in a time marked by great challenges like civil wars, inflation and external threats. Back then easy-to-fortify exposed positions became more and more important because of their natural fortification and the often implied long-distance view. They remained important until the onset of the Carolingian Period and therefore represent essential findings in the research of an era still rooted in ancient traditions yet in many aspects already anticipating medieval developments. 

During the summer and fall campaigns, students of archaeological disciplines did not only enjoy a welcome diversification in their everyday study routines, but also a perfect supplement for their education. In 2008 an average of eight staff members worked during 52 weeks of excavation completing various tasks of archaeological field work: from heavy duty earthworks in the beginning to carefully exposing layers with delicate instruments later on. And there was also the tachymeter based documentation, hand drawings, describing structures and exposed layers as well as finally processing the finds.