The Fondo Manca is situated in the locality of Convento on the northern edge of Soleto, north of the convent of the Madonna delle Grazie. It is an area of communal land destined to be parcelled out for construction purposes. Upon the request of the mayor, R. Saracino, a watching brief was undertaken which identified structures relating to Messapian houses in the northern part of the fondo, along via Macchiavelli. In the southern part of the area two modern cisterns and a small Messapian midden were identified. Despite its position within the Messapian walls, most of this terrain was dedicated to agriculture or pasture.