The present study analyses the importance of the Băile Herculane spa resort, based on epigraphic discoveries and cartographic sources. Social mobility, along with the presence of urban elites from various towns, passing through, can shed some light on the renown enjoyed by the Băile Herculane hot springs during the Roman and Late Roman periods. The authors also attempt to research the local religious life, as well as the layout of the settlement’s sacred enclosures, an endeavour never before attempted. The results of such an analysis, in comparison with other spa resorts in Dacia, enables the possibility to understand how the town and its public edifices, dominant during the Roman period, developed, as well as the urban layout of Băile Herculane.
Articles
Intra-site organisation and population size in the Cucuteni A3 settlement of Războieni–Dealul Mare
In Romanian archaeology, the aspects related to demography are poorly presented. The present study combines the demographic data already known in the archaeological literature with geophysical surveys in order to obtain additional information relating to the social organization and population size. The research is focused on the Cucuteni A3 settlement of Războieni–Dealul Mare, that has benefited over the years from several geophysical surveys. The results regarding the spatial organisation and the delineation of the living space are impressive. From the data obtained we can achieve some demographic information.
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.