In July 2011, a short excavation was undertaken on the Fondo Melliche, in an area divided into building plots. In recent years, investigations have taken place (see entries for 2008-2010) on a sector of the Messapian settlement of Vaste, in particular the Iron Age occupation. In fact, a cult complex datable to the 8th-7th century B.C. is attested here. The latest excavation took place in lots 10 and 11, situated in the south-eastern corner of the sector. Previously, a trial trench had been dug on the two lots but did not reveal any significant layers. Therefore, an open area excavation was started, with the aim of gaining a broader vision of any archaeological deposits present.

A series of about twenty holes of varying sizes was uncovered, below the agricultural top soil, partially excavated in a reddish-brown soil and in part in the bedrock.
As in previous excavations, these pits were filled with material datable to the Iron Age (8th-7th century B.C.): a substantial amount of Iapygian pottery, in particular the sub-geometric type from the Salento, and impasto vases, together with a lesser number of fragments of Corinthian imported pottery and eastern Greek banded ware and Greek transport amphora (Corinthian type A). The pits also contained animal bones and fragments of baked clay from cooking stands.
Almost all of the holes, of a similar typology to those excavated in past years, appeared to relate to the same cult structure. Therefore, these were deposits of material linked to cult activities, as already documented in the adjoining area. There were two exceptions (US 315 and 333), which probably date to the archaic period, but none the less relate to cult activities.

The situation revealed by the excavation confirmed the proposed interpretation based on the other evidence. Given the smaller number of votive deposits present here, and the absence of other elements denoting a sacred area, it may be suggested that this zone was marginal with respect to the structure’s central nucleus, which was probably situated in the area immediately to the north.