Search

Simple Summary: The authors present results on animal resources in the economy of medieval Moldova as they are reflected by analyses of animal skeletal remains recovered from archaeological sites situated in northeastern Romania and the Republic of Moldova. This paper aims to statistically evaluate the data of previous studies, and to analyse the case of the urban settlement from Târgu Neamț in the context of medieval Moldova. The results indicate the great importance of animal breeding and the low interest in hunting and fishing. This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the medieval Moldovan economy by evaluating animal resources (e.g., animal husbandry, hunting, fishing) based on the skeletal remains found in archaeologic sites from northeastern Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Animal remains, especially those from the urban settlement of the 14th–16th centuries from Târgu Neamţ (NE Romania), were described in terms of their frequencies (i.e., number of identified specimens and minimum number of individuals), morphometry, and livestock management (i.e., animal selection by age and sex). The results were compared with those obtained from other settlements—rural, urban, and fortress—from medieval Moldova. Correspondence analysis of the identified animals and settlements on the basis of the frequency values reveals associations between the two variables (animal species and settlement). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Peuce Journal is the property of Institutul de Cercetari Eco-Muzeale and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A scientific investigation of objects discovered in archaeological dig sites involves a high interdisciplinary intake of methods and techniques of related disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, archeology, art history, geology, biology, etc. The present paper presents the results of the analysis, carried out by corroborating SEM-EDX and micro-FTIR techniques, of jewels discovered during the archaeological excavations from Ibida in the village Slava Rusa, the city of Tulcea, Romania. These studies helped establish the characteristics of the materials the jewelry were made of, to identify the type of alloy, in order to determine the area of origin of the raw materials and the processing technology, based on which one can evaluate the economic and social changes over time, with their integration into the cultural space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyzed a batch of 64 clay weights from three archaeological sites located in Romania (Gumelniţa, Măgura-Jilava, and Sultana) that belong to Kodjadermen-Gumelniţa-Karanovo VI cultural complex (4600–3900 cal. BC). Our approach includes an interdisciplinary investigation based on technological analysis, experimental archaeology, and X-ray CT scans coupled with statistical analysis. This investigation has a high potential to reveal relevant information regarding the technological background (e.g., inclusion, voids, temper, etc.), manufacturing stages (e.g., modeling, shaping, kneading, etc.), or transformation processes (e.g., drying and firing vs. weight and size modification) in order to identify, explain and understand the chaîne operatoire for this type of artefacts. Moreover, correlation of the results with the experimental archaeology could offer an integrative interpretation about the material culture of past humans and its multiple meanings, but also critical information about the multiple dimensions of manufacture for these objects (e.g., time, effort, physical–chemical processes, etc.). The multi-analytical approach proposed here also includes a comparative study of technological aspects of these clay weights across the three archaeological sites investigated, as well as the experimental replicas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Roman limes from the county of Bistrița-Năsăud is part of the Porolissensis Limes and extends along a line connecting the villages Ciceu Corabia, Negrilești, Ciceu Poieni, Dobric, Spermezeu, Zagra, Salva, Năsăud, Livezile, and Orheiul Bistriței. It features specific elements, represented by Roman roads, watchtowers, burgi, and castra. Geographically, this section of the limes lies in a hilly area, represented by the Someșul Mare Hills (Ciceu Hills, Suplai Hills, Năsăud Hills) and the Bistrița Hills. The touristic and leisure value of the Limes from the county of Bistrița-Năsăud is given by the geographical features of the region (relief, climate, vegetation) and by the Roman vestiges discovered in the area. The present paper focus on the limes section stretching between the Ilișua Valley (at Spermezeu) and the Someșul Mare River (at Năsăud), and aims to identify, catalogue, and evaluate elements of the Roman limes, and to elaborate touristic utilisation strategies of the archaeological sites. The team’s research identified good and very good preserved Roman tower substructures, allowing the precise mapping of the Roman limes line in the northeastern part of the Bistrița-Năsăud County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the mortar materials used in the construction of the walls at the Archaeological Roman Fortification site (Ovidiu, Romania) on the shore of Siutghiol Lake. Several analyses were conducted to determine the mortars' basic physical properties, mineralogical composition, and microstructural characteristics in order to describe the mortars used in the construction of the Roman fortress. The investigation utilized X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDAX), and differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The results indicated that siliceous aggregates and lime binders were used in the production of the studied mortars, the structure was constructed in the sixth century, and the raw materials used to construct the site are of local origin. Using the methods mentioned above, there is the possibility of recreating the fortification's mortar formula using contemporary materials and recommending intervention materials for the preservation of the archaeology of the Roman Fortification. Furthermore, this study opens up many other research opportunities regarding the reuse of mortars extracted from archaeological sites in the rehabilitation process by integrating them into new mortar recipes that can then be tested to compare the results with those obtained from standardized recipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, on one of the most important dacian archaeological sites (Ocnița, Vâlcea County, Romania), in a tomb dug into the rock, along with various weapons, ceramics, bones, etc. there was also discovered a fragmentary sica scabbard. As a consequence of the lack of information on solely such iron-made objects, the urgent need to obtain as much information as possible regarding this type of military equipment was mandatory. Thus we applied different characterization methods aimed at obtaining results regarding the inner structure assembly of the scabbard, the chemical composition and the elemental distribution of the material the scabbard was made of, in order to better understand the technique used by the dacian blacksmiths. With the help of optical macroscopy, energy dispersive - X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), X-ray CT scanning, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) we tried to reconstruct how the scabbard was made, and how it survived until present times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragments of mud dauber wasp's nests dating from the Bronze Age (Noua culture, about 1500–1200 BC) from a Romanian archaeological site are described. The present discovery represents, to our knowledge, the first reported fragments of mud dauber nests recuperated from an archaeological site in Romania and probably among the rare ones from Europe. The archaeological site called Zoltan-"Nisipărie" is placed in the Covasna County, south-eastern Transylvania. The five fragments belong to two nests made by Sceliphron sp. wasps genus and they were described in terms of general and detailed morphology and morphometry. Two nest fragments preserve in situ secondary cells, showing evidence of nest reoccupation by other insects. Another important aspect of this discovery is the opportunity to extract and analyse a whole secondary cell from the original nest fragment. Various impressions of vegetal material (grass, straws etc.) and a seed on the nest fragments' surface were observed using microscopic techniques. The preserved pieces recovered from archaeological investigations provide important data regarding the local environmental conditions during the recent period of Bronze Age in an anthropized environment of the Noua culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The territory of the Bistriţa-Năsăud county includes many geosites with cultural and historical values, given by the nearly existence of some important archeological vestiges. One of these geosites can be found in the eastern part of the county, at the junction of three catchement areas: Bârgău, Leşu and Ilva, which preserve an old road named by the local people The Romans 'Road. This has a length of 13 km, presents a stoned surface with andesitic blocks, has a quite sinuous route, which values the geomorphological potential of the area and climbing itself from slopes and summits with a large view over the surrounding areas. The tehnical features, size, spreading and perspectives over the landscape make. The Romans' Road a very important tourist and geoarchaeological objective, but insuficiently capitalized because of the reduced advertising and the modest arrangement. As it follows, this scientific research paper has the main purpose to analyse this road from its geomorphological point of view and to emphasize its attractive potential to become integrated in the tourist programs with cultural and didactic character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near surface geophysical investigations are employed in archaeology in order to estimate the location, depth, shape and physical properties of buried ancient structures. The geophysical study initiated in 2008 on tumuli located in the Histria necropolis was based on magnetics, the measurements being carried out with a proton precession magnetometer / gradientmeter. The networks where measurements of total magnetic field and magnetic vertical gradient were performed covered each tumulus and small adjacent areas. The magnetic measurement points situated at 2 m interval represented detailed rectangular networks. The necropolis is situated at ca 2 km north-west of Histria ancient Greek city and includes a great number of tumuli of various dimensions and trends. Previous archaeological studies evidenced different rituals of burial for the ca 1300 years of continuous inhabitation during Greek colonization and Roman / Byzantine empires. The magnetic data obtained for the tumulus analyzed in this paper, located toward the north-western limit of the Histria necropolis, suggest quite complex archaeological features, similar to those observed in the excavations. Generally, metallic artifacts, a clay layer affected by fire or active magnetic rocks employed in the buried infrastructures may represent sources of high magnetic anomalies. The magnetic total field and vertical gradient anomalies are interpreted as being here mainly due to burnt materials and buried greenshist structure (high anomalies), or to an outer stone belt made of limestone boulders (low anomalies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophysical electrical methods are used in identifying underground structures as well as in other domains (geology, geo-engineering, speleology, archeology, etc.). The paper presents the principle of geophysical electrical methods, along with the way they are applied in identifying archeological sites located at various depths. The selected case study is the Saint Nicholas Church from the Densuş locality, one of the oldest and the most important religious cult places in Romania, a symbol of our people's spirituality. The age of this church is contradictory and generated long debates within the Romanian scientific community. The Saint Nicholas Church from Densuş (Hunedoara County) is among the few remaining autochthonous pre-Christian temples. The core of the building is dated from 2nd Century AD. Some historians believe that, in the 4th Century, the temple was transformed into a church. Other historians claimed that the building of the Church took place in the 13th Century, as registered in historical manuscripts. However, a series of significant changes took place at the end of the 13th Century, and in the 14th and the 15th Centuries. Recent archeological studies revealed a nobility court dated from the second half of the 15th Century and the first half of the 16th Century. The court is located immediately next to the church at about 40 m distance from the church altar. It is also possible that these could be old fences buried into the ground, which could bring new information on the age of the church itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations of the central part of the Kom el-Dikka archaeological site in Alexandria have reached early Roman levels and the current investigations of the PCMA UW expedition are focused on completing the excavation of some of the partly uncovered architecture. The southwestern part of House FA was explored, uncovering two fragments of colourful mosaic floors. Building chronology was established based on finds from two deep stratigraphic probes dug inside the structure. The main phases of occupation of House FA turned out to be comprised in a period between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE. The archaeological part of the program was accompanied by current preservation and maintenance work that the team is tasked with in different parts of the site; necessary preservation projects were undertaken this year in the theatre, the portico in front of the theatre and the early Roman buildings in the central part of the site. The mosaics on display in the mosaic shelter have also undergone cyclical conservation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romanian summer tourism has developed extraordinarily on the Black Sea coast and in the Danube Delta. The administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve took measures for the protection of the natural environment and for the local development of tourism (mostly of ecologic tourism). The cultural potential of Dobrudja (represented by world-famous archaeological sites placed on the limes of the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complex and of the Danube) has enabled the emergence of a new, specialized type of tourism in the Danube Delta: the cultural (archaeological) tourism. The interface between the Dobrudjan mainland and the Danube Delta comprises the largest archaeological treasure in Romania and even in Europe (in relation to the number of superficial sites). The advantage of developing such specialized tourism is also provided by the possibility of elaborating terrestrial or aquatic itineraries. Tourism can also be advantaged by the location of the legendary Greek Island of Peuce (the "Pine Island" mentioned by Herodotus) in the eastern sector of the Dunavăț Peninsula. The proposition made here is to develop cultural tourism based on the existence of historical vestiges within the area of the first Romanian region included in urban civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study which has investigated new aspects of the revaluation of prehistoric ceramic artifacts from Romanian archeological sites, under current rules and concepts of integrated conservation science. It has been revealed by the study that the original artifact should usually be restored and possess property and authentication certificates issued by individuals or legal certificators to attend the auction. The study further says that it is necessary for the scientific replicas to bear the copyright mark.

The article focuses on the Middle Paleolithic sites in Romania. The author discussed the different Paleolithic cites throughout the country, including the Ripiceni-Izvor and Mitoc-Malul Galben, which were considered as two of the most significant open-air Middle Paleolithic sites in southern Europe. However, there is an inadequate information available with regards to subsistence activities during the Middle Paleolithic in the country. Most of these sites were excavated in 1950 and 1960, and only complete anatomical elements and those identifiable animal and plant remains were collected. Moreover, the importance of the obtained radiocarbon dates from excavations, and Middle Paleolithic habituation structures were also discussed.

Archaeometric investigations using OM (optical microscopy) and micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) were performed on 45 ceramic shards unearthed in archaeological excavations at Păcuiul lui Soare (southeastern Romania) and dated to the eleventh century AD. This study aimed to get clues about the raw materials and manufacturing techniques used by the potters from the Lower Danube area during the Byzantine period. The analyzed ceramic fragments were selected according to stylistic and archaeological criteria, trying to cover the entire palette of potteries discovered at this site. OM detailed the characteristics of the fabric (texture, microstructure and porosity), mineralogy, surface treatments and firing of the shards. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PIXE data highlighted two main categories of shards with distinct compositional signatures, separated mainly by their aluminum and calcium content. Micro-PIXE maps of the interfaces between the glaze and the ceramic body showed that the green glaze is rich in lead oxide compared to the underlying ceramic body. The results of these investigations were compared to the ones previously obtained on coeval potteries from other Byzantine archaeological sites, i.e. Hârşova and Oltina, trying to get some hints about the consumption and circulation of pottery in the Lower Danube region at the beginning of the second millennium AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]