## 1 Introduction  
During the Late Bronze Age and later Iron Age, it was common to discover fortifications strategically positioned on hilltops. However, fortifications that have been vitrified have so far only been found in continental and island northern Europe where they have been documented since the 1700s, and on which the current archaeological debate concerns the interpretation of their construction methods [1; 2; 3]. Comprehensive investigations of Scottish and, more recently, Swedish vitrified fortifications have been undertaken [4; 5; 6; 7; 8]. Interestingly, these architectural structures are predominantly found in insular Europe, although finds of vitrified structures have been reported over a broad strip developed in the E-W direction of continental Europe between Poland and Portugal. Apart from two cases encountered in the latter country [9; 10], the presence of these structures has not yet been consistently observed in Mediterranean European countries.  
The first announcement of the presence of molten rocks on the top of a hill called Serravuda at about 2 km North-West of Acri (Calabria, Italy, lat. 39 deg30'10.50'' N; long. 16 deg22'05.50'' E) was made by [PERSON]. This area is characterized by a series of rounded peaks. What immediately captures one's attention is the presence of an intentionally levelled summit, surrounded by a mysterious glassy structure at its forefront that presents a distinctive elliptical shape. [PERSON] [11], in the 1970s, authored a pioneeringarticle on such vitrified rocks. In his analysis of the factors contributing to the vitrification process, the author examines a range of influences, including natural events like forest fires or lightning strikes, as well as human activities such as ceramic or metallurgical processes. Moreover, he explores the possibility of prehistoric or protohistoric rituals playing a role.  
Recently, multidisciplinary research was conducted on Serravuda, covering lithology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. Part of these research results have already been published [12]. Mineralogical studies conducted confirmed that the vitrified materials had undergone pyrometamorphism at exceptionally high temperatures, ranging from 1000 to 1100 \({}^{\circ}\)C. Quantitative X-ray mineralogical and SEM analyses confirm that very high temperatures were reached as a result of the warming event, and in discussing the causes, they do not exclude the possible effects of an unusual lighting fulguration event [12].  
A detailed geological mapping of the area and a series of lithological and petrographic investigations were conducted on the vitrified rock fragments found at the top of the hill, and on the exposed substrate rocks and other lithoid materials along the slopes of the hill [13]. These observations strongly suggest that the vitrified rock fragments are of allochthonous origin, indicating human intervention in their collection and transport for the construction of a hilltop structure.  
Assuming an anthropogenic origin for such a structure, its absolute dating is of fundamental archaeological significance. It can provide information on potential builders and establish connections between them, and the human populations settled in the region at that time.