Papers by Viorica Rusu-Bolindet
Cronica cercetărilor arheologice din România. Campania 2023. A LVIII-a Sesiune națională de rapoarte arheologice, 29-31 mai 2024, Târgu Mureș, pp. 30-42, 2024
In the 2023 campaign, due to limited funds, it was not possible to continue the archaeological re... more In the 2023 campaign, due to limited funds, it was not possible to continue the archaeological research on the combined surface of sections SXIX/14 and SXX/16, located on the southern side of the complex.
The main activities carried out in this year’s campaign were the recording and processing of the archaeological materials discovered in the 2017-2022 campaigns.
251 items of tegular material bearing the stamps of the legio XIII Gemina (either simple or accompanied by anthroponyms) and of the governor’s guard have been processed. The most numerous – 91 samples (36%) belong to the legio XIII Gemina, 7 types out of the 17 attested at Apulum have been identified (see chart 2). The building materials that were stamped with the name of legio XIII Gemina accompanied by anthroponyms were in the number of 59 specimens (24%), with 31 names being identified out of the 85 attested at Apulum (see chart 3). The tegular materials bearing the stamps of the governor’s guard were in smaller numbers - 15 copies (6%). The stamps of pedites singulares were the most frequently encountered (9 samples = 33%), with 5 types of stamps
being identified out of the 7 known at Apulum (see chart 4).
On the analyzed construction materials, were also identified many specimens that show human, animal, bird prints or
caliga traces (86 specimens = 34%) (chart 1).
At the same time, 100 ceramic artifacts were processed. Among them, we can mention complete and fragmentary ceramic lamps (Loeschcke VIII and X types), ceramic categories belonging especially to fine tableware
(local terra sigillata, stamped pottery, Pompeian red slip ware), kitchen ware (mortaria), storage and transport vessels – imported amphorae for wine and olive oil brought in from western and oriental centres of the Roman Empire (Kapitän II and Dressel 24 similis types) etc.
The 3D scanning of the objects discovered in the praetorium consularis was also carried out, in view of the archaeological monograph of the site, to turn to account its historic and archaeological value and also to help
popularise it.
Milcovul, 2014
Lucrarea prezintă rezultatele analizei datelor recente privind o categorie specială reprezentată ... more Lucrarea prezintă rezultatele analizei datelor recente privind o categorie specială reprezentată de 19 piese, recuperate în campaniile arheologice 2010 şi 2012 de la Histria, sectorul Basilica extra muros. Piesele reprezintă materie primă neprelucrată (patru metapodii şi un radius de vită), piese finite şi utilizate (suporturi pentru dinţarea secerilor de fier – 9, ace de păr – 4 şi un tub de os). Artefactele sunt datate în secolul al II-lea e. n. În ultimii 60 de ani suporturile pentru dinţarea secerilor de fier au generat numeroase controverse, legate de originea, difuziunea şi mai ales, rolul lor funcţional. Ele au fost descoperite în două mari arii geografice incluzând bazinul occidental al Mediteranei şi zonele de vest şi nord-vest ale Mării Negre şi sunt datate între secolul al V-lea î. e. n. şi sec. al XVIII-lea. Metodologia de studiu include analiza unor parametri variaţi precum datele relative la contextul descoperirii, tipul, starea de conservare, materia primă, dimensiunile, modul de fabricare, urmele de folosire, reamenajarea, urmele de reutilizare. Urmele de fabricare şi utilizare au fost analizate sistematic cu ajutorul microscopiei optice. În afară de relativa raritate a acestor piese, putem menţiona faptul că studiul suporturile antice de os (şi corn de cerb) pentru dinţarea secerilor de fier descoperite în România are avantajul unui demers extins şi unitar, furnizând o importantă contribuţie documentară asupra prezenţei acestor controversate artefacte în regiunile central-estice ale Europei. Obiectele în discuţie ilustrează interfaţa complexă a unor tradiţii de lungă durată, vechi meşteşuguri şi economie agrară la contactul între tehnologia reducerii şi prelucrării fierului, procesarea osului şi a cornului şi utilizarea/ reutilizarea artefactelor rezultate şi cultivarea cerealelor în antichitate în regiunile din jurul Mării Negre. Studiul nicovalelor antice de os şi corn din România şi în primul rând cele descoperite la Histria oferă astfel o importantă contribuţie la cunoaşterea tehnologiei şi economiei în Europa antică.
Ceramic pottery made in Roman times and found in the Napoca archaeological site (Transylvania, Ro... more Ceramic pottery made in Roman times and found in the Napoca archaeological site (Transylvania, Romania) is analyzed to establish a real classification as well as sources of raw materials. The colours of the ceramic body are quite homogenous: red to yellowish-red or gray. The surface of the pottery is smoothed and in general is not decorated, rarely vegetal motifs being carved or pressed. The pottery is covered with a black or white, glassy slip. Granulometrically, the ceramics is lutitic-siltic, the maximum diameter of the particles being less than 0.1 mm. The porosity of the ceramic body is low. The microscopic studies, performed on thin sections, identified a microcrystalline-vitreous fabric, as well as the main compounds: various clasts in a clayish matrix. The clayish matrix present sinterizing or vitrification processes, in various degrees, function of the firing temperatures and the composition of the raw materials (SHEPARD, 1976). The lithoclasts (magmatic and metamorphic rocks), crystalloclasts (quartz, plagioclase feldspars, orthoclase, biotite, muscovite, heavy minerals), bioclasts (fragments of globigerinid forams, echinid plates, nannoplankton) and ceramoclasts (potsherds) indicate both the composition of raw materials and the temper used for ceramic paste.
Acta Musei Napocensis, Dec 12, 2019
Notes on a fragment of a ceramic vessel with graffito from Gilău Călin Cosma Saxes discovered in ... more Notes on a fragment of a ceramic vessel with graffito from Gilău Călin Cosma Saxes discovered in the Avar graves from Transylvania and the Romanian Banat REVIEWS Stefanie HOSS (ed.), Latrinae. Roman toilets in the Northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire,
Bibliotheca Musei Napocensis L, 2018
The current volume, edited on the occasions of the 31st Congress of the International Association... more The current volume, edited on the occasions of the 31st Congress of the International Association Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores, held at Cluj-Napoca between 23rd-30th September 2018, contains a more detailed
presentation of the structures belonging to the pottery workshops from the Roman provinces Dacia and Lower Moesia/Scythia Minor and in Barbaricum, in order to obtain a better definition of the respective production centres and provide centralized up-to-date information. A further aim was to offer a synthetic presentation and definition of the categories and types of pottery goods produced in the respective workshops, whenever possible reference being made to the existing typologies.
Given the lack of a comprehensive database with regard to the production centres of the two provinces, the present volume aims to provide a foundation and a structure for the ongoing development of such a
database covering an essential aspect of the economic life of two Roman provinces.
Bibliotheca Musei Napocensis L, 2018
The current volume, edited on the occasion of the 31st Congress of the International Association ... more The current volume, edited on the occasion of the 31st Congress of the International Association Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores, held at Cluj-Napoca between 23rd-30th September 2018, contains a detailed presentation of the structures belonging to the pottery workshops from the Roman provinces Dacia and Lower Moesia/Scythia Minor in order to obtain a better definition of the respective production centres and provide centralized up-to-date information. A further aim was to offer a synthetic presentation and definition of the categories and types of pottery goods produced in the respective workshops, whenever possible reference being made tothe existing typologies. Given the lack of a comprehensive database with regard to the production centres of the two provinces, the present volume aims to provide a foundation and a structure for the ongoing development of such a database covering an essential aspect of the economic life of two Roman provinces.
Materiale şi cercetãri arheologice (Serie nouã), 2014
Abstract: The Basilica extra muros is among the first monuments in Histria that started to be exc... more Abstract: The Basilica extra muros is among the first monuments in Histria that started to be excavated right after Vasile Pârvan discovered the site in 1914. The uncovering of the only Early Christian basilica outside the precinct walls of Histria continued during several campaigns (1917 – under the leadership of the the German architect J. Jacobs; 1955–1956 – Em. Popescu; 1961–1964 – N. Hamparţumian), leading to the almost entire uncovering of the monument and the identification of two necropolises in the area – one earlier than the basilica (4th–5th century AD) and the other contemporary to it (end of the 5th century – first half of the 7th century AD). At the initiative of Alexandru Suceveanu, the research of the Basilica extra muros was resumed again in 2001 by a team initially consisting of Viorica Rusu-Bolindeţ (MNIT), Karl von de Lohe (“Ludwig Maximilian” University in München – the 2001 campaign), Alexandru Bădescu (MNIR), and since 2008 Vlad-Andrei Lăzărescu (IAIAC). The following goals have been reached during the five campaigns (2001, 2006, 2008– 2010, 2013): the creation of an up-to-date survey of the basilica (2001) and archaeological research of both the annex on the north-eastern side (2006) and the area south of the three annex buildings of the Christian monument (2008–2010, 2013).The present article aims at providing a synthesis overview of the results of the archaeological research performed during the previously mentioned campaigns. On the basis of the stratigraphy and the archaeological material we shall present both the new data obtained, aimed at contributing to a more detailed chronology, building and functioning stages of the Basilica extra muros, and at providing new information on the development of the extra muros area in Histria. Thus, it has been noted that the Late Roman habitation (end of the 5th century – first half of the 7th century AD) was present both north and south of the Basilica extra muros, as building elements discovered in the area south of the three annex buildings of the Christian monument, to the south, confirmed the observations we were able to make during previous research north of the basilica (2001–2012). We have also obtained new data on the necropolises in that area – 23 more inhumation tombs were discovered on the southern side of the basilica (out of which 10 have been excavated so far), mainly belonging to a necropolis in use before the construction of the basilica (4th–5th century AD), but also some were part of the necropolis that was contemporary to the building (end of the 5th century – first half of the 7th century AD). The presentation of these tombs, together with their inventory, typology and chronological setting, as well as the anthropologic analysis of the skeletons are a significant part of the results obtained by the team excavating the Basilica extra muros sector during the last years. We hope that the continuation of the archaeological research in that area, combined with those performed in the Histria South sector by colleague Mircea Dabîca (IAB), will bring more information on the possible boundaries between the habitation area and the necropolises and on the location of the harbor of the Greek-Roman city of Histria. Cuvinte-cheie: Histria, Basilica extra muros, anexele de pe latura de sud, necropole de inhumaţie, sfârşitul secolului al V-lea – prima jumătate a secolului al VII-lea p. Chr. Rezumat: Basilica extra muros este unul dintre primele monumente de la Histria a cărui cercetare a început odată cu descoperirea sitului de către Vasile Pârvan în anul 1914. Dezvelirea singurei basilici creştine timpurii din zona extramurană a Histriei a continuat de-a lungul timpului în câteva campanii (1917 – arhitectul german J. Jacobs; 1955–1956 – Em. Popescu; 1961–1964 – N. Hamparţumian), ducând la descoperirea aproape exhaustivă a monumentului, precum şi la atestarea a două necropole în zonă – una anterioară basilicii (secolele IV–V p. Chr.) şi alta contemporană cu aceasta (sfârşitul secolului al V-lea – prima jumătate a secolului al VII-lea p. Chr.). Din iniţiativa lui Alexandru Suceveanu, cercetarea Bazilicii extra muros a fost reluată în anul 2001 de către un colectiv constituit iniţial din Viorica Rusu-Bolindeţ (MNIT), Karl von de Lohe (Universitatea „Ludwig Maxilmilian” din München – campania 2001) şi Alexandru Bădescu (MNIR), căruia i s-a adăugat din anul 2008 Vlad-Andrei Lăzărescu (IAIAC). În cele cinci campanii derulate până în prezent (2001, 2006, 2008– 2010, 2013) s-au realizat: un releveu actualizat al bazilicii (2001), respectiv cercetări arheologice la anexa de pe latura de nord-est (2006) şi în zona aflată la sud de cele trei construcţii anexă ale monumentului creştin (2008–2010, 2013). Articolul de faţă va încerca să ofere o sinteză a rezultatelor cercetărilor arheologice din campaniile menţionate. Pe baza stratigrafiei şi a materialelor arheologice vor fi prezentate atât noile informaţii obţinute, menite să contribuie la ...
Ephemeris Napocensis, 1993
... E' L. Barkóczi, Frührämische glasierte Keramik in Ungarn, Glasierte Keramllr. in Pannoni... more ... E' L. Barkóczi, Frührämische glasierte Keramik in Ungarn, Glasierte Keramllr. in Pannonien, Székesfehérvâr, 1992, pp. ... Malheureusement, dans certains articles n'est pas précisé le nombre de vases auxquels les fragments décrits ont appartenu ne nous ont pas permis de
Acta Musei Napocensis, 2019
The A3 motorway (Brașov – Tg. Mureș – Oradea) archaeological diagnosis, from 2016, has revealed a... more The A3 motorway (Brașov – Tg. Mureș – Oradea) archaeological diagnosis, from 2016, has revealed an important number of unknown archaeological sites in the rural area north of Cluj‑Napoca. Out of these, one of the most complex was site no. 9, excavated in the summer of 2017. Remains of at least three historical ages have been discovered (Bronze, Roman and Early Migration), some of the archaeological features giving us remarkable results. Out of these, the most relevant, datable in the Roman times, were a sanctuary, an altar dedicated to Silvanus, bearing an unusual attribute and other strucures apparently related to the presumed cultic place.
Studia Universitatis Babes-bolyai Chemia, 2013
The paper presents the results of the mineralogical and physical investigation performed on 10 fr... more The paper presents the results of the mineralogical and physical investigation performed on 10 fragments of Roman ceramics (oil lamps, bowls, plates) out of the 20 samples collected from the west-east Section of the Basilica extra muros Sector, Histria (Constanta County, Romania). Our goal was to define the physiographical features: structure, texture and firing parameters for this group of ceramic objects. The original 20 archaeological objects are represented by oil lamps (4), plates (8), bowls (6), one jug, and one terracotta - all in the form of fragments. From the technical realisation point of view, 13 objects were pressed in moulds, while the rest (7) were formed on the potter's wheel. Excepting three objects that lack decoration, the rest show various decorations: in relief, incised or printed. The 10 ceramic fragments we have investigated are representative for the original group of 20 samples. They were investigated macroscopically, microscopically, by X-ray diffractio...
TYCHE Supplementband 11 Mitthof – Cenati – Zerbini (eds.), Ad ripam fuminis Danuvi. Papers of the 3rd International Conference on the Roman Danubian Provinces Vienna, 11th–14th November 2015, 2021
The ceramic production of the workshops from the province of Dacia, attested through several cate... more The ceramic production of the workshops from the province of Dacia, attested through several categories of epigraphic and archaeological sources, was impressive. Thus, my analysis of the main production centres in Roman Dacia focuses on epigraphic and archaeological sources which have revealed the activity of more than 30 pottery workshops in Roman Dacia. Our study focuses on the most representative workshops, selected according to a two-fold criterion: the existence of archaeological and epigraphic sources that should be as conclusive as possible on the activity of the pottery production centres (according to the above mentioned criteria) and the different environments where the workshops were active (urban/rural, civilian/military), in order to thus observe both their general characteristics and, especially, the peculiarities of pottery production on the level of the entire province.
APULUM LVII, series ARCHAEOLOGICA ET ANTHROPOLOGICA
Throughout this article, the authors aim to highlight unpublished pieces of information about arc... more Throughout this article, the authors aim to highlight unpublished pieces of information about archaeological research done by the well-known Roman Dacia experts Al. Popa and I. Berciu, in the spring of 1962. The archaeological excavations started due to the construction of a new building belonging to The Crafts School (currently “Dionisie Pop Marțian” Economical Secondary School), located on 11, Constantin Dobrogeanu-Gherea Street (currently Octavian Goga Street), in the northern area of the building complex known as Roman Dacia governor’s Palace (praetorium consularis) at Apulum. Done in several stages, the fieldwork concerning governor’s Palace was conducted through systematic or rescue excavations carried out by A. Cserni (1888-1908), I. Berciu and Al. Popa (1943, 1962), V. Rusu-Bolindeț and collaborators (from 1992 until present times), and nevertheless by A. Timofan, R. Ota (2007) and O. Oargă (2019).
During the 1962 excavation, the archaeologists discovered in the area located north to A. Cserni’s researches the ruins of a building complex, unearthed on a 575 square metres area. Amongst these, a monumental edifice stands out, consisting of several rooms decorated with polychrome painted plaster, equipped with heating systems and an
impressive stairway, having at least two construction phases. The archaeologists have never published either a report or a detailed study regarding this excavation, except for the scientific emphasis on special finds. Therefore, relying on the aforementioned archaeologists’ journal and some documents kept in the Archives of The National Museum of Union from Alba Iulia (MNUAI) (the correspondence between The Regional Museum of Alba Iulia and the people involved — recipient, builder, local administrative representatives and the ones of the Communist Party, Romanian’s Academy Institute of History from Cluj —, briefings regarding the artefacts), the authors tried to bring light on
this important part of governor’s Palace from an archaeological and historical perspective.
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Papers by Viorica Rusu-Bolindet
The main activities carried out in this year’s campaign were the recording and processing of the archaeological materials discovered in the 2017-2022 campaigns.
251 items of tegular material bearing the stamps of the legio XIII Gemina (either simple or accompanied by anthroponyms) and of the governor’s guard have been processed. The most numerous – 91 samples (36%) belong to the legio XIII Gemina, 7 types out of the 17 attested at Apulum have been identified (see chart 2). The building materials that were stamped with the name of legio XIII Gemina accompanied by anthroponyms were in the number of 59 specimens (24%), with 31 names being identified out of the 85 attested at Apulum (see chart 3). The tegular materials bearing the stamps of the governor’s guard were in smaller numbers - 15 copies (6%). The stamps of pedites singulares were the most frequently encountered (9 samples = 33%), with 5 types of stamps
being identified out of the 7 known at Apulum (see chart 4).
On the analyzed construction materials, were also identified many specimens that show human, animal, bird prints or
caliga traces (86 specimens = 34%) (chart 1).
At the same time, 100 ceramic artifacts were processed. Among them, we can mention complete and fragmentary ceramic lamps (Loeschcke VIII and X types), ceramic categories belonging especially to fine tableware
(local terra sigillata, stamped pottery, Pompeian red slip ware), kitchen ware (mortaria), storage and transport vessels – imported amphorae for wine and olive oil brought in from western and oriental centres of the Roman Empire (Kapitän II and Dressel 24 similis types) etc.
The 3D scanning of the objects discovered in the praetorium consularis was also carried out, in view of the archaeological monograph of the site, to turn to account its historic and archaeological value and also to help
popularise it.
presentation of the structures belonging to the pottery workshops from the Roman provinces Dacia and Lower Moesia/Scythia Minor and in Barbaricum, in order to obtain a better definition of the respective production centres and provide centralized up-to-date information. A further aim was to offer a synthetic presentation and definition of the categories and types of pottery goods produced in the respective workshops, whenever possible reference being made to the existing typologies.
Given the lack of a comprehensive database with regard to the production centres of the two provinces, the present volume aims to provide a foundation and a structure for the ongoing development of such a
database covering an essential aspect of the economic life of two Roman provinces.
During the 1962 excavation, the archaeologists discovered in the area located north to A. Cserni’s researches the ruins of a building complex, unearthed on a 575 square metres area. Amongst these, a monumental edifice stands out, consisting of several rooms decorated with polychrome painted plaster, equipped with heating systems and an
impressive stairway, having at least two construction phases. The archaeologists have never published either a report or a detailed study regarding this excavation, except for the scientific emphasis on special finds. Therefore, relying on the aforementioned archaeologists’ journal and some documents kept in the Archives of The National Museum of Union from Alba Iulia (MNUAI) (the correspondence between The Regional Museum of Alba Iulia and the people involved — recipient, builder, local administrative representatives and the ones of the Communist Party, Romanian’s Academy Institute of History from Cluj —, briefings regarding the artefacts), the authors tried to bring light on
this important part of governor’s Palace from an archaeological and historical perspective.
The main activities carried out in this year’s campaign were the recording and processing of the archaeological materials discovered in the 2017-2022 campaigns.
251 items of tegular material bearing the stamps of the legio XIII Gemina (either simple or accompanied by anthroponyms) and of the governor’s guard have been processed. The most numerous – 91 samples (36%) belong to the legio XIII Gemina, 7 types out of the 17 attested at Apulum have been identified (see chart 2). The building materials that were stamped with the name of legio XIII Gemina accompanied by anthroponyms were in the number of 59 specimens (24%), with 31 names being identified out of the 85 attested at Apulum (see chart 3). The tegular materials bearing the stamps of the governor’s guard were in smaller numbers - 15 copies (6%). The stamps of pedites singulares were the most frequently encountered (9 samples = 33%), with 5 types of stamps
being identified out of the 7 known at Apulum (see chart 4).
On the analyzed construction materials, were also identified many specimens that show human, animal, bird prints or
caliga traces (86 specimens = 34%) (chart 1).
At the same time, 100 ceramic artifacts were processed. Among them, we can mention complete and fragmentary ceramic lamps (Loeschcke VIII and X types), ceramic categories belonging especially to fine tableware
(local terra sigillata, stamped pottery, Pompeian red slip ware), kitchen ware (mortaria), storage and transport vessels – imported amphorae for wine and olive oil brought in from western and oriental centres of the Roman Empire (Kapitän II and Dressel 24 similis types) etc.
The 3D scanning of the objects discovered in the praetorium consularis was also carried out, in view of the archaeological monograph of the site, to turn to account its historic and archaeological value and also to help
popularise it.
presentation of the structures belonging to the pottery workshops from the Roman provinces Dacia and Lower Moesia/Scythia Minor and in Barbaricum, in order to obtain a better definition of the respective production centres and provide centralized up-to-date information. A further aim was to offer a synthetic presentation and definition of the categories and types of pottery goods produced in the respective workshops, whenever possible reference being made to the existing typologies.
Given the lack of a comprehensive database with regard to the production centres of the two provinces, the present volume aims to provide a foundation and a structure for the ongoing development of such a
database covering an essential aspect of the economic life of two Roman provinces.
During the 1962 excavation, the archaeologists discovered in the area located north to A. Cserni’s researches the ruins of a building complex, unearthed on a 575 square metres area. Amongst these, a monumental edifice stands out, consisting of several rooms decorated with polychrome painted plaster, equipped with heating systems and an
impressive stairway, having at least two construction phases. The archaeologists have never published either a report or a detailed study regarding this excavation, except for the scientific emphasis on special finds. Therefore, relying on the aforementioned archaeologists’ journal and some documents kept in the Archives of The National Museum of Union from Alba Iulia (MNUAI) (the correspondence between The Regional Museum of Alba Iulia and the people involved — recipient, builder, local administrative representatives and the ones of the Communist Party, Romanian’s Academy Institute of History from Cluj —, briefings regarding the artefacts), the authors tried to bring light on
this important part of governor’s Palace from an archaeological and historical perspective.
”Dorin Alicu este un exemplu pentru modul în care, printr-o muncă extrem de tenace si de mare deschidere, s-a impus în lumea științifică națională și internațională, cunoscut ca expert în arheologie, în artă si în artefacte romane. Au fost, cunoaștem asta, etape grele de eforturi intelectuale, familiale, pentru un tânăr venit din Țara Hațegului în capitala Transilvaniei, Cluj-Napoca, animat de dorința de a-si urma pasiunea pentru arheologie. Cu toate eventualele puncte negre, generate de greutățile inerente ale epocilor pe care le-a parcurs, Dorin Alicu se conturează ca o personalitate consacrată. El rămâne însă si un mucalit, un om pus pe șotii colegiale, un caracter deschis socializării neformale, această latură a personalității sale punând însă si mai bine în evidență caracterul de profesionist, de om al rigorii, extrem de atent și de aspru când este cazul, în primul rând cu sine, dar si cu colaboratorii săi.”
Doina Benea (1944-2019)
Fautores International Association, which took place at Cluj-Napoca, between September 23rd and 30th, 2018. The theme of the exhibition –
‘The supply of ceramic goods in Dacia and Lower Moesia: imports and local developments’ was intended to be close to the theme of the mentioned Congress, which revolves around the supply of pottery products across the Roman Empire.
The purpose of the exhibition was to offer an image as complete/ comprehensive as possible over the diversity of the imports and espe- cially over the local production of pottery centres from the two provinces that once existed on the territory of Romania during the Roman period.
If the ‘Atlas of the Pottery Workshops from the Roman Provinces of Dacia and Lower Moesia/Scythia Minor (1st-7th Centuries AD)’(I), a volume which precedes and completes the current exhibition, focused on documenting in detail the local production, the exhibition aimed to also include a part of the most cogent pottery products that arrived by means of trade in the two provinces from various areas of the Roman Empire. In this way, by comparing and visualising a number of over 1000 artifacts originating from representative centres in Dacia and Moesia
Inferior/ Scythia Minor, one can more easily observe the common aspects, the relative uniformity of the ceramic forms produced here, but
also the differences/ characteristics/ peculiarities of some production centres from certain areas, as well as the complementarity of their products.
I
project that could only be brought to a successful conclusion with the combined effort of the entire community of Roman pottery specialists from Romania. The hosting of the 31st International Congress of the Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores in Romania in 2018 represented the ideal opportunity for the implementation of this project whose main goal is to particularize the pottery production within the above mentioned two provinces in the wider context of the ceramic industry across the entire Empire.
two buildings equipped with hypocaustum: E1, in the south-eastern extremity, respectively E2, in the central hill area, in the point called Bisericuţă”2. The archaeological research of building E2 was resumed later on two successive campaigns carried out in 2002 and 2003. Their preliminary results shall be presented below. Actually is a Roman bath complex discovered on Carpeni Hill area.
Praetorium consularis
(The palace of the governor)
The palace of the governor was the headquarters of the Roman provincial administration, appearing as a first rank official building, as well as the governor's private residence. The palace had an administrative wing, where the governor met foreign delegates and other officials, a basilica that served as court-room, a secretariat which dealt with registering and emitting all the official documents, reception rooms, an archive room wing, offices of the administrative staff, consecrated places where the imperial cult and that of different Roman deities took place, scholae and other gathering spaces for the members of the staff ( officium consularis ) and for the singulares
(the governor's guard), interior courtyards and porticos, baths,
horrea (storage rooms), stables and other dependencies. Of course, a large part of the palace was constituted by the governor's private residence. Due to historical and epigraphically sources, it is known that the officium of a consular governor employed about 200-300 clerks. Most of them were military (officers from the legions), but there were also jurists, engineers, doctors etc. The protection of the governor and his staff was the duty of the equites and pedites singulares. These guards were organized in two numeri, each of (theoretically) 240 soldiers.
The praetorium of Apulum
Apulum becomes the political and military capital of Roman Dacia after Marcus Aurelius' administrative reform from 168-169 AD. Thus, the military forces of the province were united under the command of a consular governor(which ordered two legions – the XIII Gemina and the V Macedonica). His permanent seat will be at Apulum. Starting with this moment in time, all the epigraphic and archaeological evidence confirm the existence in Apulum of a complex structure which represented the headquarters of the consular governor. The
praetorium consularis of Apulum is situated EastSouthEast of the XIII Gemina legionary fortress, at the meeting point of the imperial road that connected Apulum to the other major cities of the province and the prolongation of the road that led to the above mentioned fortress.
Previous archaeological research (1888-1908; 1943; 1962)
The first archaeological excavations undergone on this site were started by Adalbert Cserni, the first warden of the History Museum of Alba Iulia. During 1888 and 1908, Cserni excavated a huge surface, of about 13 000 square meters. The area was situated at the limits of the Austrian fortress, at about 130 m east of the southernmost area of the walls (currently, this area is limited by the reformed church on the Regele Ferdinand Boulevard and the former distillery). Cserni named the complex that he had discovered “the great thermae”, due to the numerous water basins and heating installations revealed.
Cserni's discoveries represent a large part of the Dacian governor's palace. The correct identification of the complex was made more recently by Ioan Piso and Alexandru Diaconescu, based on the inscriptions erected for various governors by members of the official staff, as well as on the impressive amount of stamped tiles bearing the mark of the governor's guarding troops.
Regarding the exact function of the buildings discovered by the 19 century archaeologist, it is possible that he had uncovered some office buildings, rooms destined for economic activities, cult places with dedications for Minerva, Nemesis, Epona and possibly even a
Serapeum, as well as a part of the governor's private quarters, comprising the thermal complex.Parts of the same buildings complex were discovered north, north-east and north-west of Cserni's excavations, along the Alba Iulia – Zlatna railway (1943) and on the current position of the Economic Highschool “Dionisei Pop Marţian” (Str. O. Goga no. 11, former Str. Dobrogeanu Gherea), due to the researches of Ion Berciu and Alexandru Popa (1962). They discovered a complex of buildings, revealing them on a much smaller surface – about 400 square meters.
Recent archaeological researches (1992-2003; 2007-2011)
The excavations from Munteniei str. are situated at 50-100 m south and south-east of Cserni's excavations and 100 m west of the excavations of Ion Berciu and Alexandru Popa from 1943 and 1962. The monumental buildings, as well as the archaeological artifacts, prove that the discoveries are part of the governor's palaces. The area researched during the above mentioned periods is of 850 square meters. The excavations undergone in 1992 – 2003 by a team of specialists from The National History Museum of Transylvania from Cluj-Napoca and The National Museum of Alba Iulia, led by Viorica Rusu-Bolindeţ, were focused on recovering constructive elements of a Roman building partially neglectfully destroyed through a series of construction works. During the first three archaeological campaigns, the general stratigraphy was established and the first habitation
and phases of the site were revealed. The first Roman constructions on site were dated during the middle of the 2 century AD. In 1998 the excavated area was enlarged with 2.30-3.50 meters north, on an intact area. Here, five rooms were discovered, some of them impressive through dimensions, pertaining to the last Roman Phase (the second quarter of the 3rd century AD). In 2001 a new trench has been opened on the eastern side of the archaeological park – SXVII/01 and in 2007 SXVIII/07 was opened in the southern part of the area. The research aims to gather more information about the above mentioned buildings situated outside the area affected by the construction works, respectively inside the archaeological park.
The uncovered artifacts
The archaeological pieces discovered on site are very diverse. Thus, there have been uncovered inscriptions dedicated to divinities or honoring the emperors, as well as parts of gilded bronze, bronze and marble statues, having anatomic or colossal dimensions, which belonged to Roman officials or to different divinities (the leg of a possible imperial statue, the arm and hand of a bronze statue, the head of a marble Apollo statue, pertaining to the “Belvedere” type, the bust of a marble Diana statue, fragments of a feminine limestone statue).
The artifacts are quantitatively dominated by the stamped ceramic building material (75%) bricks, roof tiles ( tegulae ) and imbrices
– bearing the sign of Legio XIII Gemina together with the names of military officials or craftsmen who carried out their activity inside the military workshop. Of course, specific for this complex are the bricks bearing the mark of the governor's guard: pedites singulares (pedestrians),equites singulares (cavalry) and numerus singularium
(the generic name of the unit in which the governor's guard was organized). All this stamped ceramic building material was used for building the structures which form the governor's palace. To them it adds ceramic floor tiles of different shapes and colors composing the fine floors identified in some of the rooms. In one of the rooms small polychrome fragments of wall plaster were discovered. During recent excavations, the only mosaic of the complex known up to date was identified: it is formed of black and white tesserae, forming a chess-table type of model.Other objects worth mentioning are bone pins, needles and counters, metal artifacts (military and garment pieces, made of bronze or even silver), pottery, gemstones etc. A. Cserni also discovered two monetary treasuries, of more than 500 bronze coins, dating from the Severan age up to the reign of Aurelianus.
MARKETING OF ROMAN POTTERY: ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOCAL AND IMPORTED PRODUCTS
For 1st circular and the registration form see http://www.fautores.org/pages/congress_2018_Cluj-Napoca.htm
The international workshop will contain a presentation of the database of European data regarding terra sigillata, made by our guests – dr. Allard Mees from RGZM and Geoffrey Dannell (University of Nottingham), followed by an introduction/overview reflecting the state of supply and consumption of Samian ware in Roman Dacia, made by a number of Romanian specialist (May 2nd). The theoretical presentation will be followed by practical classes carried out by Brenda Dickinson (Leeds University) (drawing and identifying potter’s stamps and decorative motifs from terra sigillata), while Allard Mees and Geoffrey Dannell will instruct participants on the way to operate with the database of terra sigillata data (May 3rd-5th).
The training is addressed to both students of all levels of study (undergraduate, master and PhD) of Archaeology and Ancient History and students from other faculties, but also to researchers interested in the subject.
the palaces of the Roman governors – the praetoria – served,
in equal measure, as official seats of the highest ranking representatives
of Rome in the provinces, but also as their private residences. One of the most typical Governors’ Palaces in the Roman Empire, judging from its epigraphic evidences but also from the archaeological discoveries made, is the Palace of the consular governor of the three Dacias, located at Apulum. Ourstudy is meant to synthesize the scientific information knownuntil today regarding the praetorium consularis from Apulum
(an up-to-date study) and to emphasize the manner in which it became a symbol of Roman Official Power in the province of Dacia.
area at Histria, in the West‑East section, located circa 50m north of Basilica extra muros
on the Early Roman layers (2nd
3rd century AD) some ceramic artefacts with religious
representations or connected to the Greco‑Roman mythology were discovered.
Thus, a mould for the production of ceramic medallions was identified, representing
one episode of the war for the conquest of Troy illustrated in Homer’s Iliad – that
of Cassandra’s aggression and capture in the temple of Athena. A second ceramic
artefact is a decorative plaque, representing a scene that is part of the mythology of
the eponymous god of the city, Apollo, respectively the god witnessing the torture of
Marsyas. Besides the two artefacts described before we are discussing other artefacts
belonging to the minor arts, of which we will present a terracotta / candlestick with
the representation of Eros and a series of fragments of miniature altars (arulae). Most
of the artefacts analysed here were found in an area where intense craft activity was
identified, respectively in the layer related to a metal processing workshop, inside the
disused kilns, where ceramic wasters were discovered, bone objects in different states
of processing and other categories of artefacts. Due to their appearance and quality,
these pieces were considered local products, respectively ceramic scraps, thus directly
attesting to the activity of the ceramic centre from Histria in the Early Roman period.
At the same time, the subjects chosen for the representations on the ceramic mould and
the decorative plaque, as well as the use of miniature altars (arulae) for votive purposes
show that Histria, although integrated into the Roman political‑administrative system,
remains tributary to classical culture and Greek mythology