Articles

What can aDNA analysis tell us more on an old funerary discovery?

This study presents the first ancient mitochondrial DNA (amtDNA) results obtained by sampling human bones selected from an Early Bronze Age funerary context with the aim of identifying the haplogroup and starting to build an amtDNA reference database based on samples selected from Eastern Romania. The human bones analysed in this study were part of the Stoicani “Cetățuia” (Galați county) necropolis located in the Covurlui Plateau. The M6 funerary context does not contain any grave goods, his chronological and cultural characteristics being inferred based on its association with similar funerary contexts in the necropolis. The amtDNA obtained by analysing osteological remains attributed to the beginning of the Early Bronze Age in the Eastern Romania region helped us to identify the coexistence of different communities in the timespan characterized by accentuated human group mobility.

Techniques used in decorating Hellenistic jewellery

This article presents a part of the decorative techniques used by the craftsman in Hellenistic period on jewellery — to be more precise, the techniques that not require adding new material to create a more colourful piece except enamel. The decision to describe the last technique is given by the repeated mention of the enamel in filigree technique but this method is a part of the polychrome techniques that use different materials or substances to give colour to the jewellery.

The Roman military diploma discovered at Atmageaua Tătărască – Sarsânlar (Zafirovo, Bulgaria)

A tabella II of a Roman military diploma, copied after an imperial constitution issued in AD 54 (CIL XVI 3) is published once again in these pages. On the basis of archival information and new research on the table, kept by the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest, the article provides a reconstruction of the text and short histories of the mentioned military units.

Purpurarii et vestiarii. El comercio de púrpuras y vestidos en Roma

The work analyses the production and marketing of purple in Roman times. The analysis of merchants related to the sale of purple, purpurarii, and merchants of the best fabrics and dresses, vestiarii, allow access to visitors were the characters involved with the making and marketing of clothing and fabrics in the Metropolis. The fame of certain colours soon attracted the attention of the Roman elites, and during the imperial period, the purple became a state issue, allowing its use by a small number of people linked to the emperor’s family. At this point we make a brief review of the different leges sumptuariae. In this regard, we have taken advantage of, in addition to commenting that the places were more important for the extraction of this dye, to comment that they were the diverse productive techniques of the Mediterranean and Atlantic purples.

Contribution sur le macellum d’Histria

L’existence du macellum à Histria fait la preuve sur la situation économique stable de la ville pendant toute l’époque romaine et sur la capacité de récupération de la communauté urbaine après les invasions de 238. Notre contribution est axée sur les caractéristiques de cet édifice et sur la reconstruction de macellum (par dons) afin de proposer une nouvelle hypothèse concernant l’emplacement de ce bâtiment à Histria.

Tomb number 2 of the Church of St. Michael in Mornago (Varese, Italy). Anthropological and archaeological study of medieval funeral remains

The current paper aims to present the archaeological and anthropological results of the investigation conducted on a medieval burial which presents several features that recall the Longobard culture. After the archaeological evaluations on the architectural morphology of the tomb and on the grave goods, we proceeded with the anthropological investigations on human and animal bone remains. These analyses allowed us to formulate a hypothesis related to this particular funeral ritual from ancient Longobard tradition. The tomb number 2 of St. Michael church in Mornago represents a rare evidence of inhumation with bird in Northern Italy.

Pottery kiln: A technological approach to Early Eneolithic black-topped production in Transylvania

The present paper uses the parameters revealed by archaeometric investigations of the Foeni group Early Eneolithic pottery from Alba Iulia–Lumea Nouă site, in order to make possible the experimental reconstruction of the black-topped pottery local firing technique. The distinctive features of this fineware category are the well burnished red body, with black (sometimes metallic) look on the rim, as well as on the pot interior. The results indicate the chromatic effect is due to the controlled mixed firing, oxidation and reduction atmosphere, in one step operation technique. This process was carried out using an updraught kiln with a circular base having 0.80 m in diameter and a height of 0.90 m. During firings the temperatures reached did not exceed the temperature indicated by the analyses (700–850°C), and both firing atmospheres had been achieved simultaneously. The experimental samples resembled Foeni vessels completely. The most important aspect of the firing method which we used is the fact that the results are controllable and repeatable.

At the borders of Ancient Dacia. The Danube Gorge sector

The construction of the Dacian Kingdom in the Transylvanian area would not have been possible without the favourable combination between the military and political infrastructure and the exceptional military capacities of certain warlords. The Roman Empire managed to install itself on the entire right bank of the Danube, as part of an Imperial policy. Thus, the Danube became, after lengthy efforts, an important natural obstacle between the Roman world and the “Barbarians”. In our view, a special interest zone for understanding the said phenomena is the Danube Gorge as here, for over a century, the armies of Rome and those of the Dacian kings were in direct and permanent contact, separated only by the great European river. A series of four Dacian forts defended this area, the most important being the one from Divici–Grad, where two curved weapons, typical to Dacian professional warriors were found. It is likely that the garrison stationed here, obviously related to the power centre from the Șureanu Mountains, was composed of elite soldiers, as the weapons, type of fortification tower itself, and geographical position converge towards this hypothesis.