Diachronic evolution of sites from Saharna area, the region of Middle Dniester

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THRACOLOGY

”The Thracians and their Neighbors in the Bronze and Iron Ages”

- Volume I -

Institutions involved in the organization of the Congress:

Dâmboviţa County Council „Valahia” University of Târgovişte

Institute of Archaeology „Vasile Pârvan” – Center of Thracology Bucureşti

International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences – 30th Commission

„Curtea Domnească” National Museum Complex of Târgovişte Braşov County History Museum

Museum of Brăila

Persons involved in the organization of the Congress:

The Honorary Committee Prof. univ. dr. Ion Cucui, president

Conf. univ. dr. Călin D. Oros, vice-president Conf. univ. dr. Adrian Țuțuianu, vice-president

Acad. Alexandru Vulpe, vice-president Prof. univ. dr. Marin Cârciumaru, secretary

Organizing Committee Prof. dr. Valeriu Sîrbu, president

Prof. dr. Cristian Schuster, secretary general Conf. univ. dr. Marian Cosac, vice-president

Dr. Ovidiu Cîrstina, member Dr. Radu Ştefănescu, member

Prof. univ. dr. Ionel Cândea, member

Secretariat Prof. dr. Cristian Schuster Dr. George Murătoreanu

Dr. Ana Ilie

It is the authors who are responsible for the contents and the quality of studies. Due to the late reception of manuscripts, the Editorial Board could not in all cases intervene to any significant extent in order to ensure a standard language.

DÂMBOVIŢA COUNTY COUNCIL INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY „VASILE PÂRVAN” BUCHAREST

„CURTEA DOMNEASCĂ” NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX OF TÂRGOVIŞTE

„VALAHIA” UNIVERSITY OF TÂRGOVIŞTE

The Thracians and their Neighbors in the Bronze and Iron Ages

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 12TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THRACOLOGY

TÂRGOVIȘTE

10TH -14TH SEPTEMBER 2013

“Settlements, Fortresses, Artifacts” - Volume I -

Editorial Board Cristian Schuster, Ovidiu Cîrstina,

Marian Cosac and George Murătoreanu

Covers: Valeriu Sîrbu, Dana Smaznov DTP: Dana Smaznov, Valeriu Sîrbu Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naţionale a României

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THRACOLOGY. Proceeding (12 ; 2013 ; Târgovişte)

Proceedings of the 12th International Congress of Thracology : the Thracians and their Neighbors in the bronze and Iron ages : Târgovişte, 10th-

14th September 2013. - Târgovişte : Cetatea de Scaun, 2013 2 vol.

ISBN 978-606-537-208-5 Vol. 1 : Settlements, fortresses, artifacts / editorial board: Cristian Schuster, Ovidiu Cîrstina, Marian Cosac and George Murătoreanu. - Bibliogr. - ISBN 978-606-537-207-8

I. Schuster, Cristian (ed.) II. Cîrstina, Ovidiu (ed.) III. Cosac, Marian (ed.) IV. Murătoreanu, George (ed.)

904(398.9)(063)

ISBN general 978-606-537-208-5 ISBN vol. I 978-606-537-207-8 Editura Cetatea de Scaun, Târgoviște, 2013 www.cetateadescaun.ro , email: [email protected]

SUMMARY

FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................... 9

A NEW BANIABIC TYPE AXE FROM SOUTHERN ROMANIA Radu Băjenaru (Bucharest – Romania), Alin Frînculeasa (Ploieşti – Romania) ............................. 13

A SPECIAL RED DEER ANTLER ARTEFACT FROM THE DACIAN SETTLEMENT OF UNIP, TIMIŞ COUNTY, ROMANIA Corneliu Beldiman (Bucharest – Romania) ..................................................................................... 17

DATA ABOUT THE OSSEOUS MATERIALS ARTEFACTS FROM DACIAN HILLFOR OF ARDEU, HUNEDOARA COUNTY, ROMANIA Corneliu Beldiman (Bucharest – Romania), Iosif Vasile Ferencz (Deva – Romania), Diana-Maria Sztancs (Bucharest – Romania) ........................................................................................................ 39

WOMEN AT PISTIROS Jan Bouzek (Prague – Czeh Republic), Lydia Domaradzka (Sofia – Bulgaria) ............................... 67

WHETSTONES WITH A HANGING HOLE IN STEPPE ZONE CULTURES OF THE NORTHERN PONTIC AND THE GREAT HUNGARIAN PLAIN FROM THE LATE BRONZE AGE AND THE EARLY IRON AGE Marcin Burghardt (Rzeszowsk - Poland) ........................................................................................ 83

REPERES CHRONOLOGIQUES OFFERTS PAR LA CERAMIQUE GRECQUE IMPORTÉE Livia Buzoianu, Maria Bărbulescu (Constanţa – Romania) ............................................................ 95

VIEWPOINTS IN INTERPRETING LATE IRON AGE HILL-FORTS AND FORTIFIED SETTLEMENTS BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS AND THE DANUBE (2ND CENTURY BC – 1ST CENTURY AD) Vlad Cărăbiși, Monica Nicolăescu (Bucharest – Romania) .......................................................... 111

THE TRIBAL WORLD OF ANCIENT THRACE Peter Delev (Sofia – Bulgaria) ....................................................................................................... 127

DATA ON LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT IN THE IRON AGE HABITATION FROM CÂRLOMĂNEŞTI (BUZĂU COUNTY), IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT ARCHAEOZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH Georgeta El Susi (Reşiţa – Romania) ............................................................................................ 135

TEI CULTURE SETTLEMENTS IN BUCHAREST AND ILFOV COUNTY Elena-Florentina Gavrilă (Bucharest – Romania) ......................................................................... 153

FIRST MILLENIUM BC THRACIAN SETTLEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE UPPER MARITSA REGION AND ITS ADJACENT AREAS Alexei Gotzev (Sofia – Bulgaria) .................................................................................................... 169


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L′EXPLOITATION DES SOURCES SALÉES DU BASSIN SUPÉRIEUR DE LA RIVIÈRE IALOMIŢA, DE L′ ÂGE DU BRONZE JUSQU′AU IER SIÈCLE AP. J.C Ana Ilie, Gheorghe Olteanu, Ovidiu Cîrstina, Adrian Păunaş, Bogdan Ilie (Târgoviște, Roumanie) .................................................................................................................. 183

SPARADOKOS: BRUDER ODER SCHWAGER DES ODRYSENKÖNIGS SITALKES? Dobriela Kotova (Sofia – Bulgarien) ............................................................................................. 207

LES SPÉCIFITÉS DE L'EMPLACEMENT DES HABITATIONS DU PREMIER ET SECOND ÂGE DU FER DANS LA ZONE DE STEPPE BOISÉE DE LA MOLDAVIE CENTRALE Alexandru Levinschi (Chişinău – R. Moldavie) ............................................................................. 213

IN QUEST FOR QUALITY STONE: LA TÈNE ROTARY QUERNS FROM ŽIDOVAR, SOUTH BANAT Marija Ljuština (Belgrade – Serbia) .............................................................................................. 225

MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN THE PRUT-DNIESTER INTERFLUVE BARBARICUM Sergiu Mateev (Kishinev – R. of Moldova) ................................................................................... 237

ON A POSSIBLE FUNCTION OF THE GETO-DACIAN DECORATED HEARTHS Alexandru S. Morintz (Bucharest – Romania) ............................................................................... 255

LA FORTIFICATION GÈTE DE HORODCA MICA, RÉPUBLIQUE DE MOLDAVIE: TECHNIQUES DE CONSTRUCTION ET PHASES DE L’ÉDIFICATION Octavian Munteanu, Vasile Iarmulschi (Chişinău – R. Moldova) ................................................. 269

DIACHRONIC EVOLUTION OF SITES FROM SAHARNA AREA, THE REGION OF MIDDLE DNIESTER Ion Niculiţă, Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băţ (Chişinău – R. of Moldova) ............................................. 295

LES POLEIS-EMPORIA ET LES MARCHES THRACES DU ROYAUME ODRYSE (VE– MILIEU DU IVE SIECLE AV. J.-C.) Kalin Porozhanov (Sofia – Bulgarie) ............................................................................................. 315

HELLESPONTUS, THE THRACIAN BOSPORUS AND INFORMATION RELATED TO THRACIANS ON THEIR COASTS DURING THE HALF OF THE FIRST MILLENIUM BC Alexandar Portalsky (Blagoevgrad – Bulgaria) ............................................................................. 321

DISCOVERIES OF CELTIC NATURE ON THE MIDDLE AND SUPIRIOR COURSE OF THE OLT RIVER IN THE SECOND IRON AGE Lucica Savu (Braşov – Romania) ................................................................................................... 327

DIE GETISCHEN DAVA VON RADOVANU IM LICHTE DER NEUSTEN FORSCHUNGEN Cristian Schuster (Bukarest – Rumänien), Done Şerbănescu (Olteniţa – Rumänien), Alexandru S. Morintz (Bukarest – Rumänien) ..................................................................................................... 335

THE GETO-DACIAN FORTRESS OF PIETROASA MICĂ – “GRUIU DĂRII”, BUZĂU COUNTY (ROMANIA) Valeriu Sîrbu (Brăila, Bucharest - Romania) Sebastian Matei (Buzău - Romania) ...................... 347

NEWLY DISCOVERED MONUMENTS OF THE ANCIENT IRON METALLURGY: RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES Nino Sulava, Rusudan Chagelishvili, Nino Kalandadze, Tamar Beridze (Tbilisi - Georgia) ........ 375


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SPECIAL ASPECTS OF GRAECO-BARBARIAN CONTACTS IN THE EARLY COLONIZATION PERIOD OF THE NORTHERN BLACK SEA COASTAL REGION IN THE LIGHT OF THE EXAMINATION OF THE MATERIALS OF THE CITY-SITE NEMIROV ON THE RIVERSIDE OF SOUTH BUG Marina Vakhtina, Maya Kashuba (Saint-Petersburg - Russia) ...................................................... 379

TRANSCARPATHIAN FINDS OF STAMPED CERAMICS Izabela Wnuczek (Rzeszow - Poland) ............................................................................................ 397

THRAKISCH UND DAKISCH – SPRACHEN ODER DIALEKTE? Svetlana Yanakieva (Sofia – Bulgarien) ......................................................................................... 407

DIACHRONIC EVOLUTION OF SITES FROM SAHARNA AREA, THE REGION OF MIDDLE DNIESTER

Ion Niculiţă, Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băţ (Chişinău – R. of Moldova)

Keywords: Middle Dniester, Early Hallstatt, Thraco-Getae, fortification, civil settlement Abstract: The archaeological research and survey at the sites situated around Saharna village from

Rezina region of Republic of Moldova have revealed 24 sites which correspond chronologically to the end of 12th c. – 3rd c. BC. The archaeological investigations undertaken in the last 10 years have resulted in great discoveries which made possible to trace four development periods: 1) end of 12th c. – 11th c. BC; 2) 10th c. – first half of 8th c. BC; 3) second half of 8th c. – 6th/5th c. BC; 4) 5th/4th-3rd c. BC. The character of the settlements varies from one period to another, but in most cases they were grouped in „agglomerations”/„nests” which included fortifications and civil settlements. These „agglomerations” represented probably the vital space of some political-territorial formations from the Middle Dniester region.

Geographic space The investigated territory represents a stripe with the width of 2,0-4,5 km and the approximate

length of 8,5 km placed on the right bank of Dniester (Fig. 1/1), between the villages Stohnaia (47° 43' 37" North, 28° 57' 53" East) and Buciuşca (47° 38' 55" North, 28° 59' 35" East) and is located in the borders of Saharna village (Fig. 1/2) from Rezina region of Republic of Moldova.

This territory is part of Dniester Plateau with absolute heights of 250-347 m above sea level, segmented by a network of rivers and valleys (Râmbu 1982, p. 12, 14). The Dniester Valley in this area is characterized by highly eroded ravines developed into compact sedimentary rocks (limestone, marl, sandstone, shale). They got the shape of canyons with steep slopes (20-30°), sometimes very abrupt (40-70°) (Râmbu 1982, p. 33, 46) and are crossed by a network of small rivers, tributary of the Dniester (Fig. 1/3).

The hills and the valley coasts are covered with clayey-sandy, ashy and chernozem soils, which developed a specific forest steppe flora, characterized by presence of oak, lime, maple, beech etc. (Mihăilescu et alii 2006, p. 112-130).

Thus, the physical-geographical conditions, favorable to the human habitat, contributed greatly to the population of this territory from oldest times.

Chronological framework The lower limit (12th/11th c. BC) is determined by the time when in the region of Middle Dniester

appeared monuments specific to hallstatt period, while the upper limit (end of 3rd c. BC) – by the abandonment or destruction of Thraco-Getian sites. During this period in the mentioned space many cultures and cultural groups developed and which were attributed to sedentary populations of Thracian – Tămăoani-Holercani-Hansca/ Sihleanu-Râmnicele-Saharna Mică (Hänsel 1976, 122; László 1986, p. 65-91; Leviţki 1994, p. 219-256; Nicic 2008), Cozia-Saharna (Hänsel 1976, p. 134; László 1989, p. 111-129; Kašuba 2000, p. 241-488; Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 14-24, 51-68, 71-87), Basarabi-Şoldăneşti (Meljukova 1958, p. 64-76; Lapušnjan 1979; Kašuba 2007, p. 369-380; Kaşuba 2008, p. 37-50) and Getae-Thracian origin.

Research stage The surveys and archaeological research uncovered in this area 25 monuments (Fig. 3) with a

different research degree (Fig. 2/1). Some of these, such as the settlements Saharna Mare/„Dealul Mănăstirii”, Saharna Mică, Saharna „La Şanţ”, Saharna „Ţiglău”, Saharna „La Revichin” and the necropolises Saharna „Gura Hulboacei”, Saharna „Ţiglău” were investigated by means of archaeological excavations. However, most of them are known by surface survey only.

The biggest issue in studying the archaeological objectives form the region of Middle Dniester is to establish the periods of their foundation, development and abandonment. Although being still at a quite modest level of research, the analysis of discovered materials makes possible to establish the


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diachronic evolution of these monuments. Therefore, as a result of archaeological investigations at sites from micro-zone Saharna were highlighted four evolution periods: 1) end of 12th – 11th c. BC; 2) 10th – first half of 8th c. BC; 3) second half of 8th – 6th/5th c. BC; 4) 5th/4th-3rd c. BC (fig. 2/3).

Cultural-chronologic distribution of monuments I. End of 12th c.-11th c. BC This horizon has been documented by archaeological excavation at the open settlements Saharna

Mică, Saharna „Ţiglău” and Saharna Mare/„Dealul Mănăstirii” (Fig. 3/1). Most eloquent traces of living were discovered at Saharna Mică (Fig. 4) were are know three constructions, six pits and a rich ceramic material, ornamented exclusively with incising or in relief decoration (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 14-24, fig. 3-11, photo 4, 5, 8, 9).

At Saharna „Ţiglău” (Fig. 5/1-7) to this horizon is attributed a pit (no. 8) were was discovered pottery with trumpet shape neck, truncated bowls with wavy walls and the rim slightly thickened within and cups with profiled neck and biconical body, some examples have one raised handle with a cylindrical button in the upper part, ornaments with transversal incised stripes interrupted by flattened supports (Niculiţă, Nicic 2008, p. 227, fig. 17/2-10) similar to those from pit no. 1 from Saharna Mică (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 19-20, fig. 9/1, 3-11) or with ,,fir” leaf patterns. All the ceramic material from pit no. 8 is entirely attributed to the period of the end of 12th c. – 11th c. BC. This pit is overlapped partially by another complex (pit no. 9) with a filling of different pot fragments with in relief and pressed decoration characteristic to the ceramic assortment discovered at the monuments of Cozia-Saharna culture (Niculiţă, Nicic 2008, p. 228-229, fig. 17/1, 18/1-9). The overlapping of the two complexes with different materials demonstrates clearly that pit no. 8 was used long before the pit no. 9 and which indicates to the existence of an initial settlement in the area of Saharna „Ţiglău” site just like at Saharna Mică and which functioned at the end of 12th c. – 11th c. BC.

A similar situation was attested at Saharna Mare/„Dealul Mănăstirii”1 (Fig. 5/8-13). Here, in the south-western part of the interfluve was discovered a pit (no. 119) which’s filling contained various ceramic fragments with transversal and horizontal incised patterns, shaded triangles or relieved bands (Niculiţă et alii 2012b, p. 134, fig. 27/4, 8-23). Above the pit was discovered an ashy layer with the width of 0.5 m, overlapped by an agglomeration of human bones deposited following mostly the anatomic position. Some ceramic fragments were discovered near the bones; they have incised, pressed or in relief decoration (Niculiţă et alii 2012b, p. 141-144, fig. 33-35). The fact that there are no traces of disarrangement of pit no. 119 filling by those who set the agglomeration of human bones, but also the difference of layers (≈ 0.5 m) between the two complexes demonstrates that they were used in different chronological periods: the pit – at the end of the 12th c. - 11th c. BC, while the agglomeration of bones – in the next centuries. From topographic viewpoint, the listed sites are situated in their immediate vicinity to one another forming an „agglomeration” of three settlements.

II. 10th c. - first half of 8th c. BC. From this period (Fig. 3/2) in Saharna area are kwon 11 settlements and two necropolises –

Saharna „Ţiglău” (Smirnov 1955, p. 119; Kašuba, Gol’ceva 1991, p. 197-209; Kašuba 2000, p. 368-390), Saharna „Gura Hulboacei” (Smirnov 1955, p. 117-119; Meljukova 1955, p. 58-63; Meljukova 1958, p. 84-87; Kašuba 2000, p. 390-396). Only two of these settlements have been archaeologically investigated – Saharna Mare/„Dealul Mănăstirii” and Saharna „Ţiglău”. At Saharna I it were conducted only small surveys (Kašuba 2000, p. 414-416, fig. XLVIII/2, 5, 7-11, 13, XLIX).

The best researched among the Early Hallstatt settlements from Middle Dniester is the one from Saharna Mare/„Dealul Mănăstirii”. Initially here existed an open settlement which occupied the south-western and central part of the interfluve. After a certain period, at its south-eastern periphery (Fig. 6/2) was built a semi-oval „citadel” with the dimensions of 60×64 m (circa 0.32 ha). It was delimited all-round by an artificial defensive system made of a „wall” with an adjacent ditch (Fig. 6/3).

1 In Previous publications (Kašuba 2000; Kašuba, Haheu, Leviţki 2000, p. 126; Niculiţă, Nicic 2007; Niculiţă, Zanoci, Arnăut 2008, p. 51-68 etc.) for the period from the end of 12th c. - first half of 8th c. BC were mentioned two distinct sites: Saharna Mare and Saharna „Dealul Mănăstirii”. As a result of the archaeological investigations from the last 10 years was found out that in this period existed only one site which occupied the entire surface of the settlement known under the name „Dealul Mănăstirii”, also including the southern and central part of interfluve Saharna Mare. From these considerations and in order not to create confusions, it was decided that the settlement from the end of the 12th c. - first half of 8th c. BC to be named Saharna Mare /„Dealul Mănăstirii”.


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The research established that the „wall” consisted of two facades made of wood beams situated at around 1 m from each over, while the space between them was filled with earth and stones (Fig. 6/4). The ditch was dug in front of the „wall” and had the width of 4.2-6 m and the depth from the ancient step level of 1.2-1.6 m (Niculiţă et alii 2011a, p. 226-236, fig. 3; Niculiţă et alii 2012b, p. 112-114, fig. 4, 9, 10).

On the north-western side of the „citadel” was discovered another „premises”, semi-oval in shape with the dimensions of 55×78 m delimited by a ditch which’s ends united with the defensive ditch of the „citadel” (Fig. 6/1). Ceramic fragments were identified in the inferior part of the ditch which corresponds to pottery characteristic to Cozia-Saharna culture and which allows us to date the defensive construction together with the „citadel” with the Early Hallstatt period (Niculiţă et alii 2012b, p. 124-126, fig. 18-20).

As a result of the archaeological investigations undertaken in the perimeter of the civil settlement were discovered two huts, 45 household pits and a rich archaeological material (Fig. 7; 8/1) (Niculiţă, Nicic 2007, p. 225-248; Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 51-68, 71-87, fig. 40-67, 69-84; Niculiţă et alii 2009, p. 193-225; Niculiţă, Nicic 2012b, p. 169-184) attributed to Cozia-Saharna cultural horizon. Also, within the settlement were attested some complexes related to the funerary practices of the inhabitants of the site (Niculiţă, Nicic 2011a, p. 225-235). Inside the „citadel” were discovered a surface construction, over 40 household pits, a cult complex and a diverse archaeological inventory (Niculiţă et alii 2012b, p. 126-161, 21-45) typical to Cozia-Saharna findings.

Saharna „Ţiglău” site represents an open settlement with the surface of around 300m2 situated on the high bank of Dniester. Here, as a result of archaeological investigations were discovered a hut, two surface constructions, over 40 household pits and a rich archaeological inventory (Niculiţă, Nicic 2008, p. 205-232) attributed to the Early Hallstatt horizon of Cozia-Saharna type (Fig. 8/2).

While investigating the distribution of Early Hallstatt monuments in the area of Saharna we notice a grouping of them into an „agglomeration” occupying a stripe on the right bank of Dniester with the length of 8 km. The „citadel” from Saharna Mare is situated at an equal distance from the extremities of this „agglomeration” which makes us assume it to be the administrative-political centre of this territorial unit.

III. The second half of 8th - 6th/5th c. BC. To this evolution stage belong the sites from Saharna Mică and Saharna Mare (Fig. 3/3). The

archaeological research demonstrates that towards the middle of the 8th c. BC - the beginning of the 7th c. BC Saharna Mică promontory is populated again. Stating with this period here was a fortified settlement with a „wall” and an adjacent ditch (Fig. 9/1-3). As a result of the investigations was established that the „wall” consisted of two facades made of vertical wooden beams united with horizontal wooden straps. The space between them was filled with debris, sand, clay and stone. Therefore, here was built a real wall with the width of around 6m. The ditch had a large opening at the surface of 5.4 m and a depth of 2 m. The discovery among the ruins of the „wall” of Thraco-Getae ceramics dated with the 7th-6th c. BC offers the possibility to assume that the „wall” from Saharna Mică was built and functioned precisely in this period (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 25-28, pl. 1, photo 3). With time, as a result of the increase in number of population and the need for more space, the defensive system was been demolished. On the top of the „wall” and also in the upper ditch layer were found traces of construction, while the archaeological inventory can be dated with the 4th-3rd c. BC. (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 28-34, fig. 12-13). This situation demonstrates clearly that the defensive system existed before these buildings.

In this period, the site from Saharna Mare has been fortified with a palisade on the western part of the interfluve dividing it from one edge to another. A ditch was preserved from this defensive construction, trapeze shaped in section with the width at surface of 1.2-1.8 m, at bottom of 0.20-0.36 m and the depth of around 1 m (Fig. 9/4-5). This ditch was probably the „foundation”/place were the beams of the palisade were fixed into (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 87, fig. 50-51, photo 11; Niculiţă et alii 2010, p. 363-364, fig. 7).

IV. 5th/4th-3rd c. BC. In this period the number of sites increases significantly. The surveys (Niculiţă et alii 2013, p.

26-28) and the archaeological investigations identified in his region 11 fortifications and eight civil settlements (Fig. 3/4). Among these, archaeological excavations were conducted only at four fortified


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sites: Saharna Mare, Saharna Mică, Saharna „Revichin” and Saharna „La Şanţ”. At Buciuşca fortress was conducted a small archaeological survey which established the period when the defensive system was build (Niculiţă et alii 2012a, p. 17-19).

Saharna Mare fortification occupies in this period the central and the eastern part of the interfluve on a trapeze shape surface on the high terrace (the altitude of about 140 m from the river bed) of the right bank of Dniester. The northern, eastern and southern sides of the interfluve are marked by high steep banks of the promontories that unite in the western part of Saharna village. For the defense of the fortress from the 5th/4th-3rd c. BC was used a circular defensive system surrounding a surface of 6 ha (Fig. 10/3). The defensive elements from the western side had a length of around 385 m and consisted from a „wall” (Fig. 10/5) with an adjacent ditch, three bastions with own ditches placed on flank and in the center (Fig. 10/4). As a result of the archaeological investigations was established that the „wall” had a width of around 5.6 m and was built from wooden hull with four facades, filling of earth, sand, gravel and stone. The ditch had the width in the upper part of 15 m and the inferior – 6 m and the depth of around 3.2 m. The bastions on the western side were placed on the entrance gates and were semicircular in shape, with the diameter of around 70 m – the central one, and around 30 m – those from flanks. For the building of the bastions was used the same building technique as for the premises „wall” – wooden hull with filling (Niculiţă et alii 2007, p. 27-62; Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 89-99, pl. 5-7, photo 13-26; Niculiţă et alii 2010, p. 365-371, fig. 8-11). On the northern, eastern and southern sides, which are currently quite steep, the site was defended by a „wall” whose remains were traced on a total length of 650 m. The „wall” is wavy on the eastern side forming eight bastions grouped by four at the north-eastern and south-eastern flanks. The bastions (Fig. 10/1, 2) have a semi-round shape with a diameter of 9-11 m and are situated at the distance of 5-6 m from one another, the distance from the two groups of bastions being of 34 m. The bastions are situated in such a way to defend both the flanks and the frontal part of the fortification. As a result of the archeological investigations was established that the same building technique was used for the construction of the „wall” and the bastions: wooden hull made of two facades with filling of earth and stones. The width of the „wall” varies from one portion to another but stays within the limits of 1.1-1.6 m.

The archaeological research from the Thraco-Getian fortress Saharna Mare revealed traces of four surface constructions, nine hearths, over 130 household pits and a rich and varied archaeological material represented by tools, weapons, horse harness parts, adornment objects (Niculiţă et alii 2011b, p. 193-204), local and imported pottery (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 102-140, fig. 92-159).

The fortified fortress Saharna Mică is situated north of Saharna Mare being placed on a promontory with the altitude of around 160 m with slopes almost impenetrable steep slopes on the south-western, south and south-eastern parts (Fig. 11/1). The settlement was defended by two bastions in the north and north-eastern part. The northern bastion „wall” formed a semi-circle with the diameter of 50 m and was built from a hull of wood beams with the width of 8m and filled with earth and stone (Fig. 12/1-3) (Niculiţă et alii 2010, p. 374, fig. 14). For the construction of the north-western bastion was used another building technique. It had a stone semicircle foundation (Fig. 11/2) with a length of 37 m and width varying between 5 and 9 m. Two to nine rows of broken stone (Fig. 11/3-4) remained from this wall (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 25, 169, fig. 2).

As a result of the archaeological investigations of the layer dated with the 5th/4th-3rd c. BC were discovered four constructions, 19 household pits and a varied archaeological material (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 28-46, fig. 12-39).

The fortification Saharna „La Revichin” is situated at 2.2 km north-east of the fortress Saharna Mică on the right bank of Dniester which is 80-100m above the river bed on this parts. It is semi-circular in shape and has a surface of 150×70-75 m. It is protected on the east-north-east side by the high steep bank of Dniester and on the rest sides by a built defensive system consisting of a „wall” with an adjacent ditch. The investigations established that the „wall” was built from wood beams hull with a width of around 5m and a filling of earth and sand. The ditch was 8 m width and 5.5 m deep (Levinschi et alii 2002, p. 41-44, fig. 1; Levinschi 2004, p. 64, 74). Inside the citadel were found three constructions deepened into the ground, 12 surface constructions and a varied archaeological material represented mostly by Getae-Thracian and imported ceramics (Levinschi et alii 2000, p. 87-100; Levinschi 2001, p.103-111; Levinschi 2004, p. 65-80, fig.1-6).


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The fortress Saharna „La Şanţ” was situated to the south of Saharna Mare on the high and steep bank of a canyon (Valea Crac) and consisted of two premises (fig. 12/4). The first was irregular polygonal in shape with the dimensions of 307×254 m. It was delimited on the north and west by the abrupt slopes of the depression, and on the south and east by a built defensive system representing a ditch and probably a „wall” or palisade forming a semi-circle with the total length of 458 m. The second premises was semi-oval with approximate dimensions of 17560 m and was situated on the north-eastern extremity of the first premises. Therefore, the fortification was naturally protected on the north by the abrupt slope of the canyon and in the west, east and south – by an artificial defensive system: a „wall” with an adjacent ditch. The investigation conducted at this defensive system revealed that the „wall” consisted from beams hull 3 m wide filled with earth and stone (Fig. 12/5-6). In front of the „wall” at the distance of 2.7 m were discovered the traces of a ditch 2.2 m wide in the upper part and 0,5m deep from the ancient step level. The modest proportions of the ditch do not correlate with the characteristics of a defensive element; they were used most likely for water drainage (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 151-153, pl. 9, photo 27-30). The archaeological research conducted in the premises, modest though, uncovered nine household pits and a varied archaeological material dated with the 5th/4th-3rd c. BC (Niculiţă et alii 2008, p. 153-162, fig. 162-173; Zanoci, Băţ 2011, p. 116-130).

From topographic viewpoint was noted that the sites from this period are grouped on the banks of the canyons which take their beginning from the Dniester river bed and go inside the land. The fortress Saharna „La Revichin” is an exception in this context, being situated directly on the high and steep bank of Dniester. The investigated region has three canyons which connected the Dniester with the surrounding territories. The first is situated near Stohnaia village, who hosts three fortifications (Stohnaia I, Sohnaia III, Stohnaia IV) and a civil settlement.

The second canyon begins on the territory of contemporary Saharna village and bifurcates towards west of monastery „Sf. Treime”. In this area are attested five fortifications (Saharna Mare, Saharna Mică, Saharna „La Şanţ”, Saharna „Valea Grimidon”, Saharna „La Vile”) and four civil settlements. The third canyon is located to the north of Buciuşca village on which’s bank are attested two fortifications (Buciuşca and Saharna „Hulboaca”) and a civil settlement.

These „concentrations”/„agglomerations” of civil settlement sites situated in the immediate vicinity of the fortifications formed a so-called „extra-murus” area. For example, to the north of Saharna Mică fortress was recently investigated a civil settlement from the same period. This observation is valid for other fortresses, such as Saharna „La Şanţ” in whose vicinity were found three civil settlements or Saharna „Hulboaca” with an adjacent civil settlement etc.

Based on the topographic location of the sites from Saharna area and on the results of archaeological investigations we can assume that in the 5th/4th-3rd c. BC on this territory was an administrative-territorial formation with a possible center/capital at the fortification Saharna Mare.

Conclusions Several layers of habitat dated with the 12th/11th-3rd c. BC were discovered at the

archaeologically investigated monuments but also at some sites were surveys were conducted. (Fig. 2/2). Currently, the entire cultural-chronologic spectrum was attested at only one site – Saharna Mare, starting with the aspect Tămăoani-Holercani-Hansca/Sihleanu-Râmnicele-Saharna Mică and ending with the 3rd c. BC. At Saharna Mică were discovered three living levels (end of 12th-11th c. BC; the second half of the 8th-6th/5th c. BC; 5th/4th-3rd c. BC). Among the site with two living levels attested are those from Saharna „Ţiglău” (end of 12th c. BC-11th c. BC; 10t-first half of 8th c. BC); Stohnaia I (10th - first half of 8th c. BC; 5th/4th-3rd c. BC) etc. However, most numerous (10) are the monuments with only one attested level of living - 5th/4th-3rd c. BC.2.

Mapping of monuments from the 12th/11th-3rd c. BC from the area of Saharna and the comparison with the situation from other regions populated by communities from that period, especially Cozia-Saharna and Thraco-Getians, allow us to talk about a quite densely populated space. Although the number varies from one period to another we can conclude about a permanent living on this territory (Figs. 2/3; 13). „Demographic explosions” are attested in the 10th-9th/8th c. BC and in the 5th/4th-3rd c.

2 More levels of living could be identified in case of deeper research of these monuments.


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BC – a time when most of the sites functioned. The decrease in number of sites can be caused by some „cataclysms” which produced in the respective periods or by the insufficient research degree of archaeological monuments3.

Regardless of the period, the settlements were not isolated but formed groups of several sites. These „agglomerations” are usually formed of fortifications, open settlements and necropolises. The number of sites within the „agglomerations” varies from one period to another, most „rich” being specific to Cozia-Saharna and Thraco-Getian cultures (5th/4th-3rd c. BC). These „agglomerations” represented probably the vital space of some political-territorial formations from the Middle Dniester region.

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3 We mention that 63% from sites are known by surface survey only.


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Ion Niculiţă, State University of Moldova, Chişinău Aurel Zanoci, State University of Moldova, Chişinău

Ee-mail: [email protected] Mihail Băţ, State University of Moldova, Chişinău

E-mail: [email protected]


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Diachronic evolution of sites from Saharna area, the region of Middle Dniester

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