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Among the numerous vestiges of the Iron Age at Saharna Mare / “Dealul Mănăstirii”, there are 11 finds of human remains, which are of particular in¬terest for the interdisciplinary research of the site. In this article, we propose combining archaeological data with anthropological ones. The analyzed skele¬tal material comes from six types of archaeological contexts: “cultic structure”, “ditch”, “rampart”, “grave”, “dwelling”, and “cultural layer” (Fig. 2; 3). In all the analyzed cases the identified osteological remains come from a single individu¬al. In total, seven individuals were identified, one of whom is female and six are male. Regarding age distribution, most individuals fall within the age range of 30-60 years (maturus). One individual falls within the age range of 20-30 years (adultus), and another one has passed the age of 60 (senilis). As a result of the paleopathological analyses, a wide spectrum of dental pathologies (supragingi¬val calculus, cavities, abscess, antemortem tooth loss) and bone pathologies (os¬teoarthritis, intervertebral disc herniation, porotic hyperostosis) were recorded. The analysis of occupational indicators showed over-demanding physical activ¬ities, spatial mobility, and horseback riding. Traces of violent death, such as cra¬nial and postcranial fractures, have been reported in several cases. There were also identified injuries with signs of healing

The archaeological research conducted in 2017-2019 was concentrated in the southwest part of the site, where as a result of the geomagnetic measurements a positive anomaly was attested that denotes the presence of burned structures. Following the archaeological excavations (256 m2) in this part of the settlement, three layers of living were identified: Holercani-Hansca, Cozia-Saharna and Thracian-Getae. It was discovered a pit (7/2018) belonging to the Holercani-Hansca horizon whose filling contained ceramics characteristic of this culture. For the Cozia-Saharna layer was found a structure (4/2017-2019), 12 pits, a burial, and various archaeological inventory represented by work tools, weapons and ceramics ornamented with incised and stamped ornaments. In the Thracian-Getae layer were uncovered three structures, 13 pits and a rich archaeological findings. Among the inventory items are tools and utensils made of different raw materials – iron, bronze, bone and horn, stone and burnt clay. From this layer come several weapons, in particular, tips of bronze arrows, as well as pieces of jewelry, represented by fibuale, bracelets, rings etc. Also, from the Thracian-Getae layer was recovered a significant amount of local ceramics and Greek imports.

In the Middle Dniester region, as a result of field investigation, surveys, and archaeological researches 40 fortifications and 70 open settlements attributed to the Getic communities of the 4th-3rd centuries BC were discovered. In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the research of fortifications in the Saharna (16 sites) and Horodişte-Ţipova (7 sites) micro-zones. Based on field investigations and archaeological research, it has been observed that the defensive system of the fortifications in this region has some specific features, which are not attested in the rest of the Getic fortresses. Among these are the so-called “bastions”, which can be divided into two types according to the place of arrangement within the defensive system: bastions placed in front of the entrance gates, and “bastions” located on the perimeter of the fortification. The erection of defensive constructions of the bastion type as additional elements of the fortifications denotes the fact that the Getic communities of the Middle Dniester region had a thorough knowledge of the military architecture.

Thanks to a project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, interdisciplinary research of pottery from several Early Iron Age sites in the Northern Black Sea region, including the Middle Dniester region, was carried out. Among these sites, due to the number of samples and the variety of forms of the vessels subject to analysis, the settlement of Saharna Mare-Dealul Mănăstirii (Rezina District, Republic of Moldova), attributed to the Cozia-Saharna culture, is of special interest. Fifty-two pottery samples were collected there, which were subjected to petrographic and chemical analyses. Also, in order to establish the provenance of the raw material used for pottery manufacture, samples were taken from the clay outcrops located at a distance of about 1.0 km southwest of the settlement. The results of these analyses, supplemented by the archaeological remains of a pottery workshop, as well as by the tools used for production and ornamenting of vessels, suggest a local manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 10th-9th centuries BC the Middle Dniester region was populated by the communities of the Cozia-Saharna culture, a fact demonstrated by the discovery of the vestiges of fortified settlements, 41 open settlements and nine necropolises. For the study of mortuary practices in this region, an important role is played by the results of archaeological excavations from necropolises, as well as from the settlements Glinjeni "La Şanţ" and Saharna Mare / "Dealul Mănăstirii" where vestiges of funerary character were discovered. Given the importance of burials in settlements, they are the main subject of the article. In order to highlight the social status of buried individuals in necropolises and those buried in settlements, a comparative analysis of the graves is conducted, having as criteria: orientation and position of the dead, funeral constructions, grave goods, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]