- Institutul de Cercetari Socio Umane,
Bd. Victoriei nr. 40, RO-550024 SIBIU - +40269 212604
- German Archaeological Institute, Eurasien-Abteilung, Faculty MemberThe Institute of Socio-Human Research Sibiu, History and Archaeology, Department Memberadd
- Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Art, Medieval Europe, and 21 moreMedieval Church History, Medieval Towns, Early Medieval And Medieval Settlement (Archaeology), Medieval Artefacts, Historical Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Medieval fortification, Medieval Churches, Medieval Pottery, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, History of German Minorities, German diaspora (Migration and Ethnicity), Transsylvania Hystory, Byzantine Archaeology, Byzantine Studies, Great Migration period, History of Archeology, Migration Period Archaeology, Migration Studies, and Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Agesedit
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Arms and Armor Studies, Medieval Archaeology, Cooking and Food Preparation (archaeology), Settlement archaeology, and 9 moreArchaeology of churches, Weapons, Monastic Archaeology, Arms and Armour, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Ancient and medieval arms and armour, Early Medieval Weapons and Warfare, and History of Cooking and Food Culture
... CUSTODES CONFINIORUM, VULGO EWRII ... ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT FROM MIERCUREA BĂI – CUNŢA – Abstract – The preventive archaeological research took place during 2012. (Pl. 15-16) On the first stage... more
... CUSTODES CONFINIORUM, VULGO EWRII ...
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT FROM MIERCUREA BĂI – CUNŢA
– Abstract –
The preventive archaeological research took place during 2012. (Pl. 15-16) On the first stage cross-sectional trenches were made in order to observe the expansion of the site. They were followed by the uncovering and the research of the entire area. During this works 153 features from a medieval settlement have been identified. (Pl. 8; Pl. 10-14) Among these there were partially sunken houses of a rectangular almost square plan with rock ovens (mostly situated on the northern corners) and in some cases with domestic ovens or fireplaces; pottery kilns; pits with various purposes and some traces of surface structures. The research of these features has provided a vast amount of archaeological items, which helped in dating the settlement in the first half of the 12th century. The items consist mainly in pottery: clay cauldrons, jar-vessels, jugs and rarely also bowls. Some of them were ornamented with sets of straight or wavy lines and impressions made with the stick or the small wheel. Some of these also show on the surface of the base potter’s signs or marks. Besides these there were also bone or horn made objects (combs, pins and pin tubes), metal tools and accessories (sickles, knives, spurs, buckles, earrings) or stone devices (hand-mills for grinding cereal crops). The discovered features are described in the text with references to the associated plate / plates, which include picture / pictures and the drawing of each feature as well as drawings / pictures of the archaeological inventory. Where necessary, in terms of the size of the feature or the wealth and importance of the archaeological inventory, several plates have been assigned to one feature. For the smaller features, with no inventory or with a scarce inventory, several archaeological features were displayed on one plate.
The distribution of the features and of the archaeological material within the researched perimeter shows that the houses with rock ovens, the surface structures and pottery making installations were grouped differentially. The archaeological research did not reveal the entire settlement, which makes it difficult to refer to the entire structure of the medieval settlement from MS1. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the southern part of the settlement has been researched, which lead to the discovery of at least one clear boundary of the settlement, namely the one marked by the ancient river flow and by the marshy area around it. What seems odd on a short look over the general plan of the archaeologically researched area (Pl. 8) is the fact that a white spot is present in the center of the researched area. It is a strictly medieval white spot, because it is the area where the remains of a great roman structure have been researched, above which none or rare medieval structures were preserved. During the 12th century the great roman structure may have stood as a massive ruin, which made it impossible for medieval habitations to be placed there, the area being used only as a source of building materials. There is also the assumption that some parts of the great roman structure were still standing and in use in the 12th century, maybe reused as a public or cult edifice, generating the toponym Alba Ecclesia or Weisskirch that has been kept until the 20th century. In all the researched areas there were no data to support a systematic planning of the features, but due to the discovery of two pottery kilns (Pl. 22-23; Pl. 56) and of some wells/pits (Pl. 47; Pl. 98) used as raw material source that go all the way down to the underground water and of the eastern boundary marked by an ancient river bed (probably used as water source), one may state that on the eastern side of the archaeological research the handicraft area of the settlement has been revealed. The alternation or the association of these “production areas” with houses may lead to the conclusion that those who worked there lived nearby them, in order to be able to keep a close watch on the technological flow. Placing the ovens at the periphery of the settlement is a normal fact due to fire hazard and this fact has also been noticed in other settlements of the same age in Transylvania. The existence of several traces of pole holes, pits, ditches and fireplaces that are not associated to houses may support the idea of people living in tents or iurta alongside with living in dugged houses with stone ovens. Especially in the south-western area of the settlement there are areas with clustered materials (small stones, roman construction materials and pottery) on irregular surfaces that seem to be the result of land leveling in order to prevent mudding and rain water puddles. The same clusters situated in the proximity of sunken houses with rock ovens, could represent traces of household annexes, blinds or protective screens against bad weather.
The research data show that the settlement was left in an organized systematic manner. There are no traces of rash desertion, no houses with usable inventory left within behind. Only two houses destroyed by fire (cx 048 – Pl. 25 and 133 – Pl. 64) were researched, but the archaeological material present within at the time of the fire was not rich. It seems that those who have left the settlement have had enough time to recover all that they could use; furthermore they had time to dump the broken objects or those that were of no use or could not be carried in old source of material pits (turned into domestic pits) and to leave the habitations and the settlement clean. The analysis of the animal bones from the settlement (Pl. 112.2) proves that those who lived during the 12th century at Miercurea Băi – Cunţa were mainly cattle raisers. At the same time, the large number of spurs found in the archaeologically researched features (Pl. 46.49, Pl. 73.75 and Pl. 55), lead to the conclusion that they were a population of riders, which suits the idea of large domestic animals breeding. The presence of sickles and hand-mills in the settlement proves that the population was also concerned with soil cultivation, therefore a sedentary one or one on the way of becoming sedentary. The same conclusion is stated by the presence of pottery kilns built in a quite accurate manner.
From the historical point of view, the 12th century is marked in Transylvania by the gradual expansion of the authority of the medieval Hungarian kingdom as well as by the military organization of its territory and boundaries. The way these boundaries were organized all along the 10-12th centuries has been analyzed by several historians, mainly on account of the historical toponyms placed alongside geographic lines marked by natural defense elements. These were adjusted by maintaining thick forest strips (Gyepük – Presăci – Indagines – Verhaue). They were doubled in front by non-inhabited areas or by areas deliberately depopulated (Terra deserta, desertum) to the effect of easily observing and watching all movement of human groups. Within these elements of fortification, highly secured passing places were arranged (Kapu – Clusa – Porta – Poartă – Tor). We believe that on the Secaş Valley, at the point where the archaeological research has been conducted, there was one of these gates in the borderline forest, attested mainly by the toponymy of the historical maps, as “Wehrbusch beim Thor” or “Alt Wehrbusch beim Thor” meaning “gate defending forest (brush)” or “old forest, old defense brush at the gate”. It is obvious that these defense lines required defenders, consisting in groups of peasants with military duties, such as defending the borders. They were mostly Szekely, population that was kept in the history of the place by its hidronymy and toponymy: Secaş, Zekesch, Zekeschdorf. The written information recounts about the use of these groups of riding archers by means of the legislation of king Ladislau (lex.II.17, i) “custodes confiniorum qui vulgo ewrii vocantur”. These groups of guardians of the border were moved in an organized manner at the middle of the 12th century in the eastern Transylvania, on the new alignment of the border of the Hungarian kingdom, while in their place, on the ancient terra deserta, the Transylvanian saxons were settled down, who placed themselves in serving, defending and supporting the crown „ad retinendam coronam”.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT FROM MIERCUREA BĂI – CUNŢA
– Abstract –
The preventive archaeological research took place during 2012. (Pl. 15-16) On the first stage cross-sectional trenches were made in order to observe the expansion of the site. They were followed by the uncovering and the research of the entire area. During this works 153 features from a medieval settlement have been identified. (Pl. 8; Pl. 10-14) Among these there were partially sunken houses of a rectangular almost square plan with rock ovens (mostly situated on the northern corners) and in some cases with domestic ovens or fireplaces; pottery kilns; pits with various purposes and some traces of surface structures. The research of these features has provided a vast amount of archaeological items, which helped in dating the settlement in the first half of the 12th century. The items consist mainly in pottery: clay cauldrons, jar-vessels, jugs and rarely also bowls. Some of them were ornamented with sets of straight or wavy lines and impressions made with the stick or the small wheel. Some of these also show on the surface of the base potter’s signs or marks. Besides these there were also bone or horn made objects (combs, pins and pin tubes), metal tools and accessories (sickles, knives, spurs, buckles, earrings) or stone devices (hand-mills for grinding cereal crops). The discovered features are described in the text with references to the associated plate / plates, which include picture / pictures and the drawing of each feature as well as drawings / pictures of the archaeological inventory. Where necessary, in terms of the size of the feature or the wealth and importance of the archaeological inventory, several plates have been assigned to one feature. For the smaller features, with no inventory or with a scarce inventory, several archaeological features were displayed on one plate.
The distribution of the features and of the archaeological material within the researched perimeter shows that the houses with rock ovens, the surface structures and pottery making installations were grouped differentially. The archaeological research did not reveal the entire settlement, which makes it difficult to refer to the entire structure of the medieval settlement from MS1. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the southern part of the settlement has been researched, which lead to the discovery of at least one clear boundary of the settlement, namely the one marked by the ancient river flow and by the marshy area around it. What seems odd on a short look over the general plan of the archaeologically researched area (Pl. 8) is the fact that a white spot is present in the center of the researched area. It is a strictly medieval white spot, because it is the area where the remains of a great roman structure have been researched, above which none or rare medieval structures were preserved. During the 12th century the great roman structure may have stood as a massive ruin, which made it impossible for medieval habitations to be placed there, the area being used only as a source of building materials. There is also the assumption that some parts of the great roman structure were still standing and in use in the 12th century, maybe reused as a public or cult edifice, generating the toponym Alba Ecclesia or Weisskirch that has been kept until the 20th century. In all the researched areas there were no data to support a systematic planning of the features, but due to the discovery of two pottery kilns (Pl. 22-23; Pl. 56) and of some wells/pits (Pl. 47; Pl. 98) used as raw material source that go all the way down to the underground water and of the eastern boundary marked by an ancient river bed (probably used as water source), one may state that on the eastern side of the archaeological research the handicraft area of the settlement has been revealed. The alternation or the association of these “production areas” with houses may lead to the conclusion that those who worked there lived nearby them, in order to be able to keep a close watch on the technological flow. Placing the ovens at the periphery of the settlement is a normal fact due to fire hazard and this fact has also been noticed in other settlements of the same age in Transylvania. The existence of several traces of pole holes, pits, ditches and fireplaces that are not associated to houses may support the idea of people living in tents or iurta alongside with living in dugged houses with stone ovens. Especially in the south-western area of the settlement there are areas with clustered materials (small stones, roman construction materials and pottery) on irregular surfaces that seem to be the result of land leveling in order to prevent mudding and rain water puddles. The same clusters situated in the proximity of sunken houses with rock ovens, could represent traces of household annexes, blinds or protective screens against bad weather.
The research data show that the settlement was left in an organized systematic manner. There are no traces of rash desertion, no houses with usable inventory left within behind. Only two houses destroyed by fire (cx 048 – Pl. 25 and 133 – Pl. 64) were researched, but the archaeological material present within at the time of the fire was not rich. It seems that those who have left the settlement have had enough time to recover all that they could use; furthermore they had time to dump the broken objects or those that were of no use or could not be carried in old source of material pits (turned into domestic pits) and to leave the habitations and the settlement clean. The analysis of the animal bones from the settlement (Pl. 112.2) proves that those who lived during the 12th century at Miercurea Băi – Cunţa were mainly cattle raisers. At the same time, the large number of spurs found in the archaeologically researched features (Pl. 46.49, Pl. 73.75 and Pl. 55), lead to the conclusion that they were a population of riders, which suits the idea of large domestic animals breeding. The presence of sickles and hand-mills in the settlement proves that the population was also concerned with soil cultivation, therefore a sedentary one or one on the way of becoming sedentary. The same conclusion is stated by the presence of pottery kilns built in a quite accurate manner.
From the historical point of view, the 12th century is marked in Transylvania by the gradual expansion of the authority of the medieval Hungarian kingdom as well as by the military organization of its territory and boundaries. The way these boundaries were organized all along the 10-12th centuries has been analyzed by several historians, mainly on account of the historical toponyms placed alongside geographic lines marked by natural defense elements. These were adjusted by maintaining thick forest strips (Gyepük – Presăci – Indagines – Verhaue). They were doubled in front by non-inhabited areas or by areas deliberately depopulated (Terra deserta, desertum) to the effect of easily observing and watching all movement of human groups. Within these elements of fortification, highly secured passing places were arranged (Kapu – Clusa – Porta – Poartă – Tor). We believe that on the Secaş Valley, at the point where the archaeological research has been conducted, there was one of these gates in the borderline forest, attested mainly by the toponymy of the historical maps, as “Wehrbusch beim Thor” or “Alt Wehrbusch beim Thor” meaning “gate defending forest (brush)” or “old forest, old defense brush at the gate”. It is obvious that these defense lines required defenders, consisting in groups of peasants with military duties, such as defending the borders. They were mostly Szekely, population that was kept in the history of the place by its hidronymy and toponymy: Secaş, Zekesch, Zekeschdorf. The written information recounts about the use of these groups of riding archers by means of the legislation of king Ladislau (lex.II.17, i) “custodes confiniorum qui vulgo ewrii vocantur”. These groups of guardians of the border were moved in an organized manner at the middle of the 12th century in the eastern Transylvania, on the new alignment of the border of the Hungarian kingdom, while in their place, on the ancient terra deserta, the Transylvanian saxons were settled down, who placed themselves in serving, defending and supporting the crown „ad retinendam coronam”.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Zooarchaeology, Medieval Studies, Medieval Archaeology, and 15 moreMedieval Pottery, Settlement archaeology, Habitat, Preventive Archaeology, Medieval Defensive Structures, Siedlungsarchäologie, Mittelalterarchäologie, Transsylvania, Medieval Hungarian History, Székelyek, Szekler, Arheologie Medievală, Siebenbürgen, Historical Chartography, and Erdélyi Magyar Történetírás
Interethnic Relations in Transylvania. Militaria Mediaevalia in Central and South-Eastern Europe
Research Interests: Military History, Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Early Medieval And Medieval Settlement (Archaeology), and 15 moreHistorical maps, Fortifications, Arms and Armour, Medieval Fortifications, Hystory, Siege Warfare, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Saber, Swords, Relatii Interetnice, Ancient Helmets, Armament, Military Conflict, Istorie Militara, and Axes and Maces
Research Interests:
Research Interests: History, Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Transylvania, and 20 moreHistory of Archaeology, Historia Urbana, Istoria Arhitecturii Medievale, Fontes, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Medieval Archeology; Medieval Towns, Stadtgeschichte, Stadtkernarchäologie, History of Architecture and Town Planning, Siedlungsarchäologie, Istoria arheologiei romanesti, History of Towns, Siebenbürgen, Istorie Urbana, Istoria Oraselor Transilvanene, Arheologie Urbana, Arheologie Preventivă, Town Archaeology, oraşe în Transilvania şi Banat, and Istoria oraşelor
Research Interests: Military History, Medieval History, Medieval Studies, War Studies, Medieval Archaeology, and 27 moreWar and violence, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Armed Forces, Medieval Warfare, Fortifications, Interethnic Relations, Medieval Fortifications, Late Roman and early Byzantine fortifications, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Arheologie, Militaria, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Byzantine fortifications, Castles and Fortifications, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, History of Transylvania, Early Medieval Weapons and Warfare, Mittelalterliche Geschichte, Mittelalterarchäologie, mittelalterliches Mauerwerk, Waffenkunde, Armament, Mittelalter; Befestigungsbau, Arheologie Medievală, Siebenbürgen, Mittelalterliche waffen, and Waffenfunde
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Migration, Medieval Archaeology, and 26 moreFunerary Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Death and Burial (Archaeology), Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Iron Age, Paleolithic, Great Migration period, Neolithic pottery, Neolithic of the Balkans, Eneolithic, Stone tools, Paleolithic Archaeology, Bone Tools, Arheologie, Starčevo-Criş culture, Neolithic settlement, Arrowheads, Rings, History of Transylvania, Vinca culture, Medieval graves, Stirrup, horse equipment, Turdas Culture, Earrings, and Hallstadt
Mittelalterliche Schwerter und Sabel in Siebenburgen und im Banat. (9.-14. Jh). Der Mensch war zur Zeit des Mittelalters in größerem Maße an seine Waffen gebunden als dieses heute der Fall ist, sein Verhältnis zu diesen Gegenständen... more
Mittelalterliche Schwerter und Sabel in Siebenburgen und im Banat. (9.-14. Jh).
Der Mensch war zur Zeit des Mittelalters in größerem Maße an seine Waffen gebunden als dieses heute der Fall ist, sein Verhältnis zu diesen Gegenständen war ein betont persönliches und subjektives. Dieser Stand der Dinge läßt sich jedoch anhand der damals herrschenden geschichtlichen Gegebenheiten sowie durch das aus früheren Zeiten stammende geistige Erbe erklären.
Im christlichen Mittelalter wurden mehrere Bräuche, die mit dem Waffenkultus zusammenhingen, in leicht abgewandelter Form beibehalten, wobei man einige davon in ein "christliches Gewand gehüllt" hatte. Die sporadische Beigabe von Waffen mit offensichtlich ritueller Absicht ist archäologisch bewiesen worden; die runischen Inschriften magischen Charakters wurden in christlicher Zeit durch Inschriften ersetzt, die zwar einen christlichen Gehalt aufwiesen, aber die gleiche Bedeutung wie die Runen innehatten: Sie sollten die Gottheit zum Schutz der Waffe aufrufen. Mehr noch, durch die Kreuzform des mittelalterlichen Schwertes wurde letzteres zu einem Gegenstand, den man beim Schwurablegen heranzog; auch der Schlag mit dem Schwert zum Zeichen der Aufnahme in den Ritterstand, das Küssen des Stichblattes, das Berühren der Schultern mit der Klinge - dies alles trug dazu bei, daß diese Waffe zum Symbol der genannten privilegierten Gesellschaftsschicht wurde. Durch das Zusammenführen des Schwertsymbols mit dem des Ritterranges und des Kreuzes, wurde eine weitere privilegierte Gesellschaftsschicht des Mittelalters - jene der Kreuzritter - gekennzeichnet; daraus entwickelte sich der Gedanke eines Heeres Christi und der geistlichen Ritterorden. Im Mittelalter wurde das Schwert, neben der Krone, zu einem bedeutenden Symbol mehrerer europäischer Königshäuser; ein Beweis dafür sind die in den Krönungsschätzen verwahrten Zeremonieschwerter, die einen hohen symbolischen und geistigen Gehalt verkörpern, sowie die Darstellungen derartiger Stücke in der bildenden Kunst. Das Schwertsymbol trat jedoch auf allen Ebenen des mittelalterlichen Alltags in Erscheinung: als Zeichen der politischen oder juristischen Macht, bis hin zu den Schwerttänzen, die ein Teil des Brauchtums der Zünfte und der Bauerngemeinschaften waren.
Die mittelalterlichen, in das 9. bis 14. Jahrhundert datierten Schwerter, die im Raum Siebenbürgen entdeckt wurden und hier erhalten geblieben sind, können in großen Zügen in die Entwicklung dieser Waffenkategorie in Europa eingegliedert werden.
Die bereits für den Großteil Europas erarbeiteten Sachkriterien wurden an dem siebenbürgischen Material angewandt, um eine möglichst vollständige und genaue typologische und chronologische Einordnung durchführen zu können. Um diesem Zweck gerecht zu werden, haben wir die Schwerter anhand ihrer Einzelteile untersucht, wobei das Hauptkriterium jenes der Funktionalität ist, die sich aus der Kombination dieser Einzelteile ergibt.
Eine erste Einteilung der Schwerter nach funktionellen Kriterien kann nach den Eigenschaften der Klinge, dem Hauptelement dieser Waffen, vorgenommen werden; je nach ihrer Klinge unterscheidet man zwischen Schwertern, die als "Hiebwaffe", "Stichwaffe" oder als "Hieb- und Stichwaffe" dienen sollten.
Aufgrund der Griffe (Gefäße), die aus demselben Metallstück wie die Klinge geschmiedet sind, können die Schwerter, je nach ihrer Länge und implizite der Funktionalität ihrer Einzelteile, in solche eingeteilt werden, deren Griffe "für eine Hand (od. einhändige Betätigung)", "für eineinhalb Hände (od. eineinhalbhändige Betätigung)" und für "zwei Hände (od. zweihändige Betätigung)" vorgesehen sind.
Aus der Funktionalität des Knaufs, der Art und Weise wie die Faust den Griff anpackt, um den Schwerpunkt der Waffe in bezug auf das Klingengewicht wirksam zu verlagern, erfolgt die Einteilung in "leichte" und "massive" Knäufe.
Die Parierstangen können desgleichen nach ihrer Funktionalität eingeteilt werden, u.zw. in: "kurze" Parierstangen, die das Abgleiten der Faust in Richtung der Schneiden verhindern, sowie in "lange" Parierstangen, die die Faust zusätzlich vor den gegnerischen Angriffen schützen sollten.
Nachdem die genannten Elemente und ihre Kombinationsweise an dem siebenbürgischen Material des 9. bis 11. Jahrhunderts untersucht wurden, konnten zwei große Gruppen von Schwertern festgelegt werden: Gruppe A: frühmittelalterliche Schwerter (Ende des 8. Jhs. bis Mitte des 11. Jhs.) sowie Gruppe B: Schwerter des Hochmittelalters (Mitte des 11. Jhs. bis Ende des 14. Jhs.).
Aufgrund dieser ersten, an die Funktionalität gebundenen Einteilungen wird im folgenden die Entwicklung (Form und Chronologie) der einzelnen Teile des Schwertes aufgezeigt.
Die Klingen sind in 9 "Kategorien", die Griffe (Gefäße) in 3 "Dimensionen", die Parierstangen in 8 "Varianten" und die Knäufe in 12 "Formen" eingeteilt worden.
Was die Kampfausrüstungen anbelangt, waren in Siebenbürgen zur Zeit des Frühmittelalters die gleichen Formen wie im restlichen Europa vertreten, die beständig, gemäß den auf diesem Kontinent bestehenden mittelalterlichen militärischen Strukturen, angepaßt werden mußten.
Die mittelalterlichen Schwerter des 9.-14. Jahrhunderts bildeten dabei keine Ausnahme, sie lassen sich in den allgemeinen Strom der europäischen Entwicklung eingliedern, wobei die zonalen Eigenheiten minimal sind. Wie oben bereits erwähnt, waren die morphologischen Merkmale der Schwerter sowohl von der Entwicklung der Schutzausrüstung des potentiellen Feindes als auch von der Anpassungsfähigkeit an die Kampfweise desselben abhängig. Diesbezüglich machten sich im 9. bis 14. Jahrhundert in Siebenbürgen gewaltige Einflüsse aus Mittel- und Westeuropa und in geringerem Maße aus Osteuropa und dem Balkan bemerkbar - ein Umstand, der durch die in jener Zeit herrschenden geschichtlichen und militärischen Ereignisse zu erklären ist.
Im Falle der Schwerter ist im Raum des Karpatenbeckens die gesamte europäische typologische Vielfalt vertreten, es treten allerdings in verschiedenen Zeitabschnitten einige Unterschiede auf. Die ins 8. bis 9. Jahrhundert datierten Stücke sind selten, während jene Exemplare, die den späteren Zeitabschnitten, dem 12.-14. Jahrhundert zuzuordnen sind, zahlreicher auftreten. Außerdem muß hinzugefügt werden, daß die Schwerter des abendländischen Typus im Vergleich zu jenen byzantinischer Art (die übrigens im gesamten mittel- und südosteuropäischen Raum selten sind) überwiegen.
Im 13. Jahrhundert kam es zur ersten "militärischen Niederlage" großen Ausmaßes, den die schwere Reiterei im Kampf gegen die einfallenden Mongolenhorden erlitt; da letztere, die sich der äußerst leicht zu manövrierenden, leichten Reiterei bedienten, nur über eine verhältnismäßig kurze Zeitspanne hinweg Mitteleuropa beherrschten, führte dieses Ereignis zu keinen Veränderungen in der Konfiguration der in Siebenbürgen benutzten Kampfausstattung, so wie dies in Rußland (durch Anpassen an die leichte Reiterei des Feindes) geschehen war. Weder das 14. Jahrhundert noch die Türkengefahr oder die vernichtende Niederlage der schweren Reiterei in Nikopole hatte eine radikale Veränderung in der Beschaffenheit der Bewaffnung in Siebenbürgen zur Folge; die Schwerter entwickelten sich zu immer größeren und schwereren Formen, die den Plattenrüstungen, die auch im darauffolgenden Jahrhundert vorherrschten, angepaßt waren.
Dem Säbel, als Waffe der leichten Reiterei, war im Siebenbürgen des Mittelalters keine "militärische Laufbahn" beschieden. Er wurde nur für kurze Zeit, während jener der ersten landnehmenden Madjaren benutzt und wird zeitlich in die erste Hälfte des 10. Jahrhunderts angesiedelt. Aus diesem Grund sind die wenigen Stücke dieser Art in den Gräbern der genannten Bevölkerung zu finden, genauer gesagt in jenen aus der Zeit ihrer ersten Wanderwelle, die archäologisch - nach den frühesten, in der Stadt am Someş (in der Zápolya / Dostoievski Straße) zutage getretenen Funden (aus den Jahren 1911 und später 1941-1942) - als "Cluj / Klausenburger Gruppe" bezeichnet wurden. Dieser Horizont weist noch starke Einflüsse der Steppenkulturen auf, u.zw. durch Beigabe von Waffen und Teilen von Pferdekörpern in Gräbern. Die wenigen Schwerter, die in Anlagen wie Gâmbaş, Arad-Ceala oder dem bereits erwähnten Gräberfeld in Cluj / Klausenburg entdeckt wurden, zu denen einige Stücke unbestimmter Herkunft hinzugezählt werden müssen, erlauben das Aufstellen einer eigenen Typologie nicht, sondern lassen eventuelle Vergleiche mit den in West-, Mittel- und Osteuropa erarbeiteten, bereits allgemein anerkannten Typologien zu.
Der Mensch war zur Zeit des Mittelalters in größerem Maße an seine Waffen gebunden als dieses heute der Fall ist, sein Verhältnis zu diesen Gegenständen war ein betont persönliches und subjektives. Dieser Stand der Dinge läßt sich jedoch anhand der damals herrschenden geschichtlichen Gegebenheiten sowie durch das aus früheren Zeiten stammende geistige Erbe erklären.
Im christlichen Mittelalter wurden mehrere Bräuche, die mit dem Waffenkultus zusammenhingen, in leicht abgewandelter Form beibehalten, wobei man einige davon in ein "christliches Gewand gehüllt" hatte. Die sporadische Beigabe von Waffen mit offensichtlich ritueller Absicht ist archäologisch bewiesen worden; die runischen Inschriften magischen Charakters wurden in christlicher Zeit durch Inschriften ersetzt, die zwar einen christlichen Gehalt aufwiesen, aber die gleiche Bedeutung wie die Runen innehatten: Sie sollten die Gottheit zum Schutz der Waffe aufrufen. Mehr noch, durch die Kreuzform des mittelalterlichen Schwertes wurde letzteres zu einem Gegenstand, den man beim Schwurablegen heranzog; auch der Schlag mit dem Schwert zum Zeichen der Aufnahme in den Ritterstand, das Küssen des Stichblattes, das Berühren der Schultern mit der Klinge - dies alles trug dazu bei, daß diese Waffe zum Symbol der genannten privilegierten Gesellschaftsschicht wurde. Durch das Zusammenführen des Schwertsymbols mit dem des Ritterranges und des Kreuzes, wurde eine weitere privilegierte Gesellschaftsschicht des Mittelalters - jene der Kreuzritter - gekennzeichnet; daraus entwickelte sich der Gedanke eines Heeres Christi und der geistlichen Ritterorden. Im Mittelalter wurde das Schwert, neben der Krone, zu einem bedeutenden Symbol mehrerer europäischer Königshäuser; ein Beweis dafür sind die in den Krönungsschätzen verwahrten Zeremonieschwerter, die einen hohen symbolischen und geistigen Gehalt verkörpern, sowie die Darstellungen derartiger Stücke in der bildenden Kunst. Das Schwertsymbol trat jedoch auf allen Ebenen des mittelalterlichen Alltags in Erscheinung: als Zeichen der politischen oder juristischen Macht, bis hin zu den Schwerttänzen, die ein Teil des Brauchtums der Zünfte und der Bauerngemeinschaften waren.
Die mittelalterlichen, in das 9. bis 14. Jahrhundert datierten Schwerter, die im Raum Siebenbürgen entdeckt wurden und hier erhalten geblieben sind, können in großen Zügen in die Entwicklung dieser Waffenkategorie in Europa eingegliedert werden.
Die bereits für den Großteil Europas erarbeiteten Sachkriterien wurden an dem siebenbürgischen Material angewandt, um eine möglichst vollständige und genaue typologische und chronologische Einordnung durchführen zu können. Um diesem Zweck gerecht zu werden, haben wir die Schwerter anhand ihrer Einzelteile untersucht, wobei das Hauptkriterium jenes der Funktionalität ist, die sich aus der Kombination dieser Einzelteile ergibt.
Eine erste Einteilung der Schwerter nach funktionellen Kriterien kann nach den Eigenschaften der Klinge, dem Hauptelement dieser Waffen, vorgenommen werden; je nach ihrer Klinge unterscheidet man zwischen Schwertern, die als "Hiebwaffe", "Stichwaffe" oder als "Hieb- und Stichwaffe" dienen sollten.
Aufgrund der Griffe (Gefäße), die aus demselben Metallstück wie die Klinge geschmiedet sind, können die Schwerter, je nach ihrer Länge und implizite der Funktionalität ihrer Einzelteile, in solche eingeteilt werden, deren Griffe "für eine Hand (od. einhändige Betätigung)", "für eineinhalb Hände (od. eineinhalbhändige Betätigung)" und für "zwei Hände (od. zweihändige Betätigung)" vorgesehen sind.
Aus der Funktionalität des Knaufs, der Art und Weise wie die Faust den Griff anpackt, um den Schwerpunkt der Waffe in bezug auf das Klingengewicht wirksam zu verlagern, erfolgt die Einteilung in "leichte" und "massive" Knäufe.
Die Parierstangen können desgleichen nach ihrer Funktionalität eingeteilt werden, u.zw. in: "kurze" Parierstangen, die das Abgleiten der Faust in Richtung der Schneiden verhindern, sowie in "lange" Parierstangen, die die Faust zusätzlich vor den gegnerischen Angriffen schützen sollten.
Nachdem die genannten Elemente und ihre Kombinationsweise an dem siebenbürgischen Material des 9. bis 11. Jahrhunderts untersucht wurden, konnten zwei große Gruppen von Schwertern festgelegt werden: Gruppe A: frühmittelalterliche Schwerter (Ende des 8. Jhs. bis Mitte des 11. Jhs.) sowie Gruppe B: Schwerter des Hochmittelalters (Mitte des 11. Jhs. bis Ende des 14. Jhs.).
Aufgrund dieser ersten, an die Funktionalität gebundenen Einteilungen wird im folgenden die Entwicklung (Form und Chronologie) der einzelnen Teile des Schwertes aufgezeigt.
Die Klingen sind in 9 "Kategorien", die Griffe (Gefäße) in 3 "Dimensionen", die Parierstangen in 8 "Varianten" und die Knäufe in 12 "Formen" eingeteilt worden.
Was die Kampfausrüstungen anbelangt, waren in Siebenbürgen zur Zeit des Frühmittelalters die gleichen Formen wie im restlichen Europa vertreten, die beständig, gemäß den auf diesem Kontinent bestehenden mittelalterlichen militärischen Strukturen, angepaßt werden mußten.
Die mittelalterlichen Schwerter des 9.-14. Jahrhunderts bildeten dabei keine Ausnahme, sie lassen sich in den allgemeinen Strom der europäischen Entwicklung eingliedern, wobei die zonalen Eigenheiten minimal sind. Wie oben bereits erwähnt, waren die morphologischen Merkmale der Schwerter sowohl von der Entwicklung der Schutzausrüstung des potentiellen Feindes als auch von der Anpassungsfähigkeit an die Kampfweise desselben abhängig. Diesbezüglich machten sich im 9. bis 14. Jahrhundert in Siebenbürgen gewaltige Einflüsse aus Mittel- und Westeuropa und in geringerem Maße aus Osteuropa und dem Balkan bemerkbar - ein Umstand, der durch die in jener Zeit herrschenden geschichtlichen und militärischen Ereignisse zu erklären ist.
Im Falle der Schwerter ist im Raum des Karpatenbeckens die gesamte europäische typologische Vielfalt vertreten, es treten allerdings in verschiedenen Zeitabschnitten einige Unterschiede auf. Die ins 8. bis 9. Jahrhundert datierten Stücke sind selten, während jene Exemplare, die den späteren Zeitabschnitten, dem 12.-14. Jahrhundert zuzuordnen sind, zahlreicher auftreten. Außerdem muß hinzugefügt werden, daß die Schwerter des abendländischen Typus im Vergleich zu jenen byzantinischer Art (die übrigens im gesamten mittel- und südosteuropäischen Raum selten sind) überwiegen.
Im 13. Jahrhundert kam es zur ersten "militärischen Niederlage" großen Ausmaßes, den die schwere Reiterei im Kampf gegen die einfallenden Mongolenhorden erlitt; da letztere, die sich der äußerst leicht zu manövrierenden, leichten Reiterei bedienten, nur über eine verhältnismäßig kurze Zeitspanne hinweg Mitteleuropa beherrschten, führte dieses Ereignis zu keinen Veränderungen in der Konfiguration der in Siebenbürgen benutzten Kampfausstattung, so wie dies in Rußland (durch Anpassen an die leichte Reiterei des Feindes) geschehen war. Weder das 14. Jahrhundert noch die Türkengefahr oder die vernichtende Niederlage der schweren Reiterei in Nikopole hatte eine radikale Veränderung in der Beschaffenheit der Bewaffnung in Siebenbürgen zur Folge; die Schwerter entwickelten sich zu immer größeren und schwereren Formen, die den Plattenrüstungen, die auch im darauffolgenden Jahrhundert vorherrschten, angepaßt waren.
Dem Säbel, als Waffe der leichten Reiterei, war im Siebenbürgen des Mittelalters keine "militärische Laufbahn" beschieden. Er wurde nur für kurze Zeit, während jener der ersten landnehmenden Madjaren benutzt und wird zeitlich in die erste Hälfte des 10. Jahrhunderts angesiedelt. Aus diesem Grund sind die wenigen Stücke dieser Art in den Gräbern der genannten Bevölkerung zu finden, genauer gesagt in jenen aus der Zeit ihrer ersten Wanderwelle, die archäologisch - nach den frühesten, in der Stadt am Someş (in der Zápolya / Dostoievski Straße) zutage getretenen Funden (aus den Jahren 1911 und später 1941-1942) - als "Cluj / Klausenburger Gruppe" bezeichnet wurden. Dieser Horizont weist noch starke Einflüsse der Steppenkulturen auf, u.zw. durch Beigabe von Waffen und Teilen von Pferdekörpern in Gräbern. Die wenigen Schwerter, die in Anlagen wie Gâmbaş, Arad-Ceala oder dem bereits erwähnten Gräberfeld in Cluj / Klausenburg entdeckt wurden, zu denen einige Stücke unbestimmter Herkunft hinzugezählt werden müssen, erlauben das Aufstellen einer eigenen Typologie nicht, sondern lassen eventuelle Vergleiche mit den in West-, Mittel- und Osteuropa erarbeiteten, bereits allgemein anerkannten Typologien zu.
Research Interests: Medieval History, Medieval Studies, Medieval Archaeology, Transylvania, Archaeology of South-Eastern Europe, and 22 moreSouth-Eastern Europe, Banat, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Schwert, History of Transylvania, South-Eastern European History, Medieval Swords, Swords, History of South-Eastern Europe, History of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Rituals and Symbols (Medieval), History of Banat, Spada, Medieval Transylvania, Sabre, Spada Medievala, Mittelalterliche Schwerter, Sabie, Cultul Armelor, Arme Rituale, Tipologia Spadelor Medievale, and Tipolgy of Swords
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Medieval Archaeology, Archaeological Theory, and 20 moreTransylvania, Arheologie, Monuments, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, Archäologie, History of Transylvania, Archaeological finds, Roman Archaeology, Sibiu, Hermannstadt, Archäologische Denkmalpflege, Descoperiri Arheologice, Judeţul Sibiu, Archaeological material, Archäologische Funde, Repertoriul arheologic Sibiu, Transylvanian Archaeologi, and Achaeological Heritage
Research Interests: Medieval History, Medieval Church History, Medieval Archaeology, Transylvania, Church monuments, and 16 moreTransylvanian Romanians, Tradition, Medieval Churches, Medieval Coins, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Medieval church architecture, History of Transylvania, Funeral Rites, Medieval graves, Transilvania, Arhitectura, Arheologie, Patrimoniu, Arheologie Medievală, Roşcani, noble family Caba, Biserici Vechi Româneşti, and Monumente Istorice
Research Interests: Religion, Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Pottery, Transylvania, and 29 moreEthnicity, Archaeology of Ritual, Medieval Artefacts, Great Migration period, Habitat, Ceramica Medievale, Arheologie, Graves, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, Religie, History of Transylvania, Funerary Rituals, Archaeological finds, Early Medieval Transylvania, Istorie, Arheologie, Medieval graves, Transilvania, Arheologie Medievală, Archaeology of Funerary Rituals, Coin Finds As Archaeological Artefacts, Inventar Funerar, Podoabe Medievale, 9th-11th Century, Etnicitate, secolele IX-XI, Artefacte medievale, Descoperiri Arheologice, Descoperiri arheologice Transilvania, and Rit şi ritual funerar
Research Interests:
Abstract. During the archaeological researches carried out in Orăștie (German – Broos, Hungarian – Szásváros) between 1991 and 2005, in the year 1994 the church of the Franciscan Monastery from Orăștie was approached with a short... more
Abstract. During the archaeological researches carried out in Orăștie (German – Broos,
Hungarian – Szásváros) between 1991 and 2005, in the year 1994 the church of the
Franciscan Monastery from Orăștie was approached with a short archaeological survey.
A trench was opened at the crossing of the choir with the nave on the north side of the
church. As a result the old Gothic foundation was found and it was noted that the new
ecclesiastical edifice reused it. The existence of a Franciscan convent in Orăștie is
mentioned in documents in 1309, but the edifice was abandoned in the 15th–16th
centuries. Its ruins are reused in the 18th century when the monastery is rebuilt and the
monastic life in Orăștie is reprised.
Hungarian – Szásváros) between 1991 and 2005, in the year 1994 the church of the
Franciscan Monastery from Orăștie was approached with a short archaeological survey.
A trench was opened at the crossing of the choir with the nave on the north side of the
church. As a result the old Gothic foundation was found and it was noted that the new
ecclesiastical edifice reused it. The existence of a Franciscan convent in Orăștie is
mentioned in documents in 1309, but the edifice was abandoned in the 15th–16th
centuries. Its ruins are reused in the 18th century when the monastery is rebuilt and the
monastic life in Orăștie is reprised.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Mendicant Orders, Archaeology of Medieval Monasteries, and 12 moreArchitecture and urbanism, History of the Franciscan Order, Monastery, Medieval Monasteries, Transsylvania, Mănăstire Dispărută, Franciscan Order, Siebenbürgen, Stone Sculpture in the Middle Ages, Broos, Orăştie, and Middle Ages (urban Archeology, monastery)
A Medieval Sword from Șmig The sword recovered in Șmig (commune Alma, Sibiu county) is a fairly widespread weapon in Medieval Europe, dating from the mid-13th to the mid-14th century, a typical weapon of Western chivalry, that however... more
A Medieval Sword from Șmig
The sword recovered in Șmig (commune Alma, Sibiu county) is a fairly widespread
weapon in Medieval Europe, dating from the mid-13th to the mid-14th century, a typical
weapon of Western chivalry, that however might have survived in peasant or town
environments long after it ceased being used by the military elite.
The sword recovered in Șmig (commune Alma, Sibiu county) is a fairly widespread
weapon in Medieval Europe, dating from the mid-13th to the mid-14th century, a typical
weapon of Western chivalry, that however might have survived in peasant or town
environments long after it ceased being used by the military elite.
Research Interests:
Found on the Dobrujan north-east terrace of the Danube, Capidava is a fortress erected in the second century A.D. and inhabited intermittently until the first decades of the 11th century. The site is researched now for almost a century,... more
Found on the Dobrujan north-east terrace of the Danube, Capidava is a
fortress erected in the second century A.D. and inhabited intermittently until the first decades of the 11th century. The site is researched now for almost a century, in the last decades in more than one point at a time. One of the researched points is currently the medieval necropolis (point X), which expands north-east of the surviving walls and outside the fortification (preserved only in foundation) which bound the medieval settlement. This necropolis was systematically researched starting with 2010 and was also the object of a preventive research in 2015, without being exhausted. The inventory of the graves recovered during these campaigns (bronze earrings and rings and glass beads) together with the Radiocarbon analyses made so far led to the chronological framing of the necropolis mainly in the 10th century.
The paper bellow focuses on the preservation and restauration of the metallic items found during the archaeological campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Among these are mainly rings, earrings, an arrow head, coins and unidentified items, all recovered from 17 inhumation graves researched during these time. The operations were preceded by observations on the items in situ, by soil analyses, chemical analyses of the items and spectroscopy analyses with X rays. Only after these, the items were restored following specific operations, according to the metals used in their manufacturing.
fortress erected in the second century A.D. and inhabited intermittently until the first decades of the 11th century. The site is researched now for almost a century, in the last decades in more than one point at a time. One of the researched points is currently the medieval necropolis (point X), which expands north-east of the surviving walls and outside the fortification (preserved only in foundation) which bound the medieval settlement. This necropolis was systematically researched starting with 2010 and was also the object of a preventive research in 2015, without being exhausted. The inventory of the graves recovered during these campaigns (bronze earrings and rings and glass beads) together with the Radiocarbon analyses made so far led to the chronological framing of the necropolis mainly in the 10th century.
The paper bellow focuses on the preservation and restauration of the metallic items found during the archaeological campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Among these are mainly rings, earrings, an arrow head, coins and unidentified items, all recovered from 17 inhumation graves researched during these time. The operations were preceded by observations on the items in situ, by soil analyses, chemical analyses of the items and spectroscopy analyses with X rays. Only after these, the items were restored following specific operations, according to the metals used in their manufacturing.
Research Interests:
Ein Byzantinisches Schwert aus Alba Iulia (Karlsburg/Gyulafehervar) (Zusammenfassung) In der Sammlung des Museums in Alba Iulia, (Karlsburg/Gyulafehervar) wird unter inv. Nr. D 4723, die Klinge eines Schwertes aufbewahrt, dass im... more
Ein Byzantinisches Schwert aus Alba Iulia (Karlsburg/Gyulafehervar)
(Zusammenfassung)
In der Sammlung des Museums in Alba Iulia, (Karlsburg/Gyulafehervar) wird unter inv. Nr. D 4723, die Klinge eines Schwertes aufbewahrt, dass im Stadtgebiet gefunden wurde. (Abb.1-a) Die Fundumstände sind leider unbekannt. Die Gesamtlänge des Fundstückes beträgt 722 mm, beziehungsweise 700 mm die Klinge und 22 mm die erhaltene Griffangel. Die Klinge ist schwer und im Querschnitt linsenförmig, ohne Blutrinnen. Zur Griffangel verdickt sich die Klinge und wird rechteckig im Querschnitt. An dieser Stelle ist auch die Spur einer Parierstange zu erkennen. (Abb. 2-a) Auch wenn Griffangel und Knauf nicht erhalten sind, unterstützen die anderen Merkmalle der Waffe die Zuordnung zum Schwerttyp ”Garabonc”, eine Gattung byzantinischen Ursprunges die aber am Balkan, in Osteuropa und im Donauraum von verschiedenen Volksgruppen im 9. und 10. Jahrhundert benutzt wurde. Ähnliche Schwerter sind sowohl aus dem archäologischen Funde aus Ungarn, Rumänien, Georgien oder aus der Ukraine (Abb. 1-c, 2-c,d,e,f) sowie aus den Darstellungen in der Ikonographie bekannt. (Abb. 3, Abb. 4 ) Es wird angenommen das dieser Fund im Zusammenhang mit anderen archäologischen Spuren aus der Gegend um Alba Iulia (Karlsburg, Gyulafehervar) oder Blandiana (Sumpach, Karna) steht, und auf eine Kontrolle der Salztransporte am Flus Mureș (Mieresch, Marosch) einerseits durch karolingische, anderseits durch bulgarische oder südslawische Krieger um die Wende vom 9. zum 10. Jahrhundert weist.
(Zusammenfassung)
In der Sammlung des Museums in Alba Iulia, (Karlsburg/Gyulafehervar) wird unter inv. Nr. D 4723, die Klinge eines Schwertes aufbewahrt, dass im Stadtgebiet gefunden wurde. (Abb.1-a) Die Fundumstände sind leider unbekannt. Die Gesamtlänge des Fundstückes beträgt 722 mm, beziehungsweise 700 mm die Klinge und 22 mm die erhaltene Griffangel. Die Klinge ist schwer und im Querschnitt linsenförmig, ohne Blutrinnen. Zur Griffangel verdickt sich die Klinge und wird rechteckig im Querschnitt. An dieser Stelle ist auch die Spur einer Parierstange zu erkennen. (Abb. 2-a) Auch wenn Griffangel und Knauf nicht erhalten sind, unterstützen die anderen Merkmalle der Waffe die Zuordnung zum Schwerttyp ”Garabonc”, eine Gattung byzantinischen Ursprunges die aber am Balkan, in Osteuropa und im Donauraum von verschiedenen Volksgruppen im 9. und 10. Jahrhundert benutzt wurde. Ähnliche Schwerter sind sowohl aus dem archäologischen Funde aus Ungarn, Rumänien, Georgien oder aus der Ukraine (Abb. 1-c, 2-c,d,e,f) sowie aus den Darstellungen in der Ikonographie bekannt. (Abb. 3, Abb. 4 ) Es wird angenommen das dieser Fund im Zusammenhang mit anderen archäologischen Spuren aus der Gegend um Alba Iulia (Karlsburg, Gyulafehervar) oder Blandiana (Sumpach, Karna) steht, und auf eine Kontrolle der Salztransporte am Flus Mureș (Mieresch, Marosch) einerseits durch karolingische, anderseits durch bulgarische oder südslawische Krieger um die Wende vom 9. zum 10. Jahrhundert weist.
Research Interests:
THE ORĂȘTIE FORTRESS (HUNEDOARA COUNTY), THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER AND THE CIRCULAR SHAPED TOWER The present paper is concerned with the results of the preventive archaeological research from 2021, focusing on the exterior of the Orăștie... more
THE ORĂȘTIE FORTRESS (HUNEDOARA COUNTY),
THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER AND
THE CIRCULAR SHAPED TOWER
The present paper is concerned with the results of the preventive archaeological
research from 2021, focusing on the exterior of the Orăștie Fortress (Hunedoara
County), on its North-Eastern corner. In this area were opened both a trench (S3) and a
surface (S4). In the trench S3 were found the traces of a lime pit (cx 01), a segment
from the lower part of the protective ditch of the fortress (cx 02) and two contemporary
foundations (cx 03 and 04). In the surface S4, found next to S3, were found three
features: cx 05 – the foundation of the circular shaped tower, 06 – a stone and brick
foundation, cx 07 – foundations of a modern building, cx 08 – a roomed paved with
stone, cx 09 – a stone foundation and cx 10 – the septic tank of a modern latrine.
During the research there were found many archaeological materials, most of them in a
secondary position. Among them there were many constructions materials (bricks, roof
tiles, and stones), pottery shards and fragmented stove tiles and smaller quantities of
glass and metal fragments, and even a fragment of a shaped Gothic stone. There were
also found many organic materials such as animal bones, various fragments of wood,
leather, charcoal, seeds.
The dating of the ten archaeological features discovered on this ocasion was
made based on the observations made during the archaeological research, together with
chartographic and written documents analysis and previous researches of the area. The
oldest one is the protective ditch made in the 13th – 14th centuries and discovered in the
archaeological trench S3 (and farther away in trench S2). From the same period or
close to it is the circular shaped tower found on the north-eastern corner of the fortress,
a tower which was part of the first stone precinct of the citadel, therefor dating from the
14th century. The tower was restored and strengthen in the 15th -16th centuries. All other
archaeological features found are either modern or contemporary, as are most of the
archaeological materials
THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER AND
THE CIRCULAR SHAPED TOWER
The present paper is concerned with the results of the preventive archaeological
research from 2021, focusing on the exterior of the Orăștie Fortress (Hunedoara
County), on its North-Eastern corner. In this area were opened both a trench (S3) and a
surface (S4). In the trench S3 were found the traces of a lime pit (cx 01), a segment
from the lower part of the protective ditch of the fortress (cx 02) and two contemporary
foundations (cx 03 and 04). In the surface S4, found next to S3, were found three
features: cx 05 – the foundation of the circular shaped tower, 06 – a stone and brick
foundation, cx 07 – foundations of a modern building, cx 08 – a roomed paved with
stone, cx 09 – a stone foundation and cx 10 – the septic tank of a modern latrine.
During the research there were found many archaeological materials, most of them in a
secondary position. Among them there were many constructions materials (bricks, roof
tiles, and stones), pottery shards and fragmented stove tiles and smaller quantities of
glass and metal fragments, and even a fragment of a shaped Gothic stone. There were
also found many organic materials such as animal bones, various fragments of wood,
leather, charcoal, seeds.
The dating of the ten archaeological features discovered on this ocasion was
made based on the observations made during the archaeological research, together with
chartographic and written documents analysis and previous researches of the area. The
oldest one is the protective ditch made in the 13th – 14th centuries and discovered in the
archaeological trench S3 (and farther away in trench S2). From the same period or
close to it is the circular shaped tower found on the north-eastern corner of the fortress,
a tower which was part of the first stone precinct of the citadel, therefor dating from the
14th century. The tower was restored and strengthen in the 15th -16th centuries. All other
archaeological features found are either modern or contemporary, as are most of the
archaeological materials
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Byzantine Studies, Sword Making, Restauration and Conservation, and 13 moreRoman Limes, Arheologie, Lower Danube limes, Schwert, Early Medieval Swords, Dobrudja, Waffenkunde, Swords, Spatha, Byzantinische Archäologie, 6th Century East Romans – Slavic/Avar Wars 533 – 599 AD, Capidava, and Emperor Justin II
Research Interests: Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Towns, Geschichte, Rechtsgeschichte, and 12 moreStadtgeschichte, RIchtschwert, Mittelalterarchäologie, Medieval Justice, Sibiu, Justitia, Hermannstadt, Istorie Medievală, Istorie Urbana, Roland's statue, Städtegeschichte und Archäologie, and Prangeraktionen
În anul 1899, în colecþiile Muzeului Brukenthal din Sibiu au fost înregistrate câteva piese arheologice descoperite în hotarul satului Viscri/ Deutsch-Weisskirch, Scaunul Rupea/Reps (astãzi judeþul Braºov) ºi donate de doctorul Heinrich... more
În anul 1899, în colecþiile Muzeului Brukenthal din Sibiu au fost înregistrate câteva piese arheologice descoperite în hotarul satului Viscri/ Deutsch-Weisskirch, Scaunul Rupea/Reps (astãzi judeþul Braºov) ºi donate de doctorul Heinrich Müller, medic de circumscripþie în Rupea/Reps ºi mare iubitor de arheologie ºi istorie. Piesele donate erau: "O sabie asemãnãtoare unei coase, o spadã, mai multe fragmente ale unei gãleþi, cãldãri din fier cu toartã mobilã, douã verigi din bronz ºi câteva fragmente ceramice"-cum se menþioneazã în vechiul registru de inventar al muzeului. De asemenea, se noteazã cã pe mânerul armei cu lamã curbatã se mai distingeau urme de lemn în jurul nitului de pe tija mânerului.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The present article is concerned with the results of one of the preventive researches of 2015 from Capidava (Constanța County), an excavation that took place in sector VIII extra muros immediately east of Porta Principalis, along curtain... more
The present article is concerned with the results of one of the preventive
researches of 2015 from Capidava (Constanța County), an excavation that took place in sector VIII extra muros immediately east of Porta Principalis, along curtain wall G. Of all the researches carried out over time in this sector this is the one closest to the visible walls of the fortress. It led to the discovery of a lot of archaeological materials and several features, amongst which stands out a previously unknown ”U-shaped” tower. The tower with a massive foundation (2.85 - 3 m thick) is similar to the ones known from the North-East side of the fortress (the only long side kept intact). The moment when the two coins discovered right above the dismantled tower were lost (of which one was attributed to Constantius II/ Constans and subsequently dated between 336-361 AD) remains unknown, but their very presence still offers a vague terminus post quem for the demolition of the defensive structure.
researches of 2015 from Capidava (Constanța County), an excavation that took place in sector VIII extra muros immediately east of Porta Principalis, along curtain wall G. Of all the researches carried out over time in this sector this is the one closest to the visible walls of the fortress. It led to the discovery of a lot of archaeological materials and several features, amongst which stands out a previously unknown ”U-shaped” tower. The tower with a massive foundation (2.85 - 3 m thick) is similar to the ones known from the North-East side of the fortress (the only long side kept intact). The moment when the two coins discovered right above the dismantled tower were lost (of which one was attributed to Constantius II/ Constans and subsequently dated between 336-361 AD) remains unknown, but their very presence still offers a vague terminus post quem for the demolition of the defensive structure.
Research Interests:
Zusammenfassung: Eine alte Entdeckung in neuer Interpretation. Der archäologische Fund von Deutsch-Weißkirch / Viscri Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wird in den Sammlungen des Brukenthalmuseums ein sehr interessanter Fund aus der Umgebung des... more
Zusammenfassung: Eine alte Entdeckung in neuer Interpretation. Der archäologische Fund von
Deutsch-Weißkirch / Viscri
Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wird in den Sammlungen des Brukenthalmuseums ein sehr interessanter Fund
aus der Umgebung des Dorfes Deutsch-Weisskirch verzeichnet. Ein erster Bericht darüber wird schon
1889 veröffentlicht, und es folgten im Laufe der Zeit mehrere Studien und Abhandlungen, die sich auf die
Fundstücke beziehen. Es handelt sich um zwei Waffen: ein dakisches Krummschwert, „falx“, und ein
römischer „gladius“, die zusammen mit zwei Bronzeringen in einem Eiseneimer deponiert wurden. Um
den Eiseneimer herum sind vier zertrümmerte Tongefäße aus grauer Keramik entdeckt worden. Die
Fundstelle wird aufgrund historischer Karten und Flurnamen identifiziert und die Funde werden in Bezug
auf Analogien aus demselben geografischen Raum, in den Zeitraum der Dakisch-Römischen Kriege um die
Wende des 1. zum 2. Jahrhundert nach Christus datiert.
Schlüsselworte: dakische Waffen, römischer Gladius, Eiseneimer, Dakische Kriege, Deutsch-
Weisskirch, Brukenthalsammlung.
Deutsch-Weißkirch / Viscri
Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wird in den Sammlungen des Brukenthalmuseums ein sehr interessanter Fund
aus der Umgebung des Dorfes Deutsch-Weisskirch verzeichnet. Ein erster Bericht darüber wird schon
1889 veröffentlicht, und es folgten im Laufe der Zeit mehrere Studien und Abhandlungen, die sich auf die
Fundstücke beziehen. Es handelt sich um zwei Waffen: ein dakisches Krummschwert, „falx“, und ein
römischer „gladius“, die zusammen mit zwei Bronzeringen in einem Eiseneimer deponiert wurden. Um
den Eiseneimer herum sind vier zertrümmerte Tongefäße aus grauer Keramik entdeckt worden. Die
Fundstelle wird aufgrund historischer Karten und Flurnamen identifiziert und die Funde werden in Bezug
auf Analogien aus demselben geografischen Raum, in den Zeitraum der Dakisch-Römischen Kriege um die
Wende des 1. zum 2. Jahrhundert nach Christus datiert.
Schlüsselworte: dakische Waffen, römischer Gladius, Eiseneimer, Dakische Kriege, Deutsch-
Weisskirch, Brukenthalsammlung.
Research Interests:
The Recovery, Restoration and Conservation of a "Spatha" found in Capidava Village, Constanţa County, Romania The archaeological research from 2019, carried out in the extramural sector X of the Capidava site, led to the discovery of an... more
The Recovery, Restoration and Conservation of a "Spatha" found in Capidava Village, Constanţa County, Romania The archaeological research from 2019, carried out in the extramural sector X of the Capidava site, led to the discovery of an extremely interesting piece of weaponry. The piece is a "spatha" (sword), which by its features and dimensions, but also by stratigraphic placement, seems to belong to the Byzantine World of the VI-th-VII-th centuries. The physical and chemical investigations, as well as the conservation and restoration of this piece, were done in the laboratory of the Oltenia Museum in Craiova. First, the part was mechanically treated for coarse corrosion removal, followed by the chemical treatment of conversion of iron corrosion compounds. The reinforcement of the sword was made by firmly joining the fragments, using two-component epoxy resin and for the final consolidation and preservation, two layers of acrylic resin were applied by paint brushing. Introducere Situl arheologic Capidava reprezintă pentru mai multe generaţii de studenţi şi universitari sibieni locul în care istoria se mut ă din sala de curs sau seminar direct în teren, unde se ajunge pentru prima dată în contact direct cu şantierul şi materialul arheologic şi unde se dobândesc primele cunoştinţe elementare de arheologie. Capidava este însă pentru mulţi şi un loc de suflet, un loc în care studenţii revin an de an ca voluntari sau vizitatori 1 şi este unul dintre "şantierele şcoală" vechi şi de mare prestigiu din România, 2 în cadrul căruia studenţii de la specializările "istorie"
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Studies, Medieval Archaeology, Early Medieval And Medieval Settlement (Archaeology), and 10 moreMedieval Pottery, Ceramics (Archaeology), Habitat, Arheologie, Siedlungsarchäologie, Mittelalterarchäologie, Transilvania, Tartaria Tablets, Arheologie Medievală, and Siebenbürgen
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Early Medieval And Medieval Settlement (Archaeology), Transylvania, and 14 moreMongols, Settlement archaeology, Medieval Fortifications, Arheologie, Horseshoe Bat, Tatars, Stirrup, Tartaria Tablets, Arheologie Medievală, History of Transilvania, Scăriţe De Călarie, Potcoava, the invasion of Tatars/Mongols in Europe in 1241, and Tărtăria
The Discovery, Prelevation, Conservation and Restauration of a Medieval Sword from Șeica Mare The Sword was discovered during a metal detection act in October 2017. due to the fact that its discovery was declared to the public... more
The Discovery, Prelevation, Conservation and Restauration of a Medieval Sword from Șeica Mare
The Sword was discovered during a metal detection act in October 2017. due to the fact that its discovery was declared to the public authorities, it was later properly researched by a team of archaeologists. The sword was dated in the first half of the 13.th century and its restauration were performed by specialists from the Brukenthal Museum of Sibiu.
The Sword was discovered during a metal detection act in October 2017. due to the fact that its discovery was declared to the public authorities, it was later properly researched by a team of archaeologists. The sword was dated in the first half of the 13.th century and its restauration were performed by specialists from the Brukenthal Museum of Sibiu.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Landscape Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Early Medieval And Medieval Settlement (Archaeology), and 12 moreFortifications, Medieval Fortifications, Arheologie, Tatars, Medieval jewellery, Transsylvania, Stirrup, Tartaria Tablets, Archaeology of Horse and Riders, Arheologie Medievală, the invasion of Tatars/Mongols in Europe in 1241, and Tărtăria
The current considerations follow an archaeological diagnosis carried out in April 2018 on Lector Street, no. 1, 1-3, 3A from Sibiu (Sibiu County, Romania) and on field and bibliographic observations made on this occasion. The... more
The current considerations follow an archaeological diagnosis carried out in April 2018 on Lector Street, no. 1, 1-3, 3A from Sibiu (Sibiu County, Romania) and on field and bibliographic observations made on this occasion. The archaeological diagnosis brought to light only contemporary materials and a stratigraphy where contemporary layers directly follow a yellow sterile soil or black swamp soil. On field observations together with written and cartographical sources led to the conclusion that the terrain was occupied for a long time by a swamp or a pond. Following this punctual example, the paper presents a general view on ponds and lakes surrounding Sibiu set up with the primary purpose of part of the medieval fortification system of the town. Besides defence purposes, many of these water surfaces had various other purposes: urban facilities, economic / agricultural and justice instruments. These ponds and lakes lost their importance and were drain after the middle of the 18th century to make room for the new quarters of the town. The paper includes a complete list of lakes and ponds surrounding Sibiu, as they appear on Morando Visconti’s map from 1699, related to the present day’s plan of the city.
Research Interests:
This paper brings forward a solitary case in Romania when the discoverer of a sword (found with the aid of a metal detector) chose to prese it "in situ", and to report it to local authorities. Following the report an archaeological... more
This paper brings forward a solitary case in Romania when the discoverer of a sword (found with the aid of a metal detector) chose to prese it "in situ", and to report it to local authorities. Following the report an archaeological diagnosis was run to salvage the item, wich is a knightly weapon from the first half of the 13th century.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval Studies, Medieval Archaeology, Metal-Detecting and Archaeology, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, and 15 moreArheologie, Schwert, Archaeology and Metal Detecting, Mittelalterarchäologie, Transsylvania, Medieval Swords, Swords, Medieval Knights, Spada, Arheologie Medievală, Siebenbürgen, Armament Medieval, Mittelalterliche waffen, Şeica Mare, and detectare metale
Given the paucity of archaeogenetic data available for medieval European populations in comparison to other historical periods, the genetic landscape of this age appears as a puzzle of dispersed, small, known pieces. In particular,... more
Given the paucity of archaeogenetic data available for medieval European populations in comparison to other historical periods, the genetic landscape of this age appears as a puzzle of dispersed, small, known pieces. In particular, Southeastern Europe has been scarcely investigated to date. In this paper, we report the study of mitochondrial DNA in 10 th century AD human samples from Capidava necropolis, located in Dobruja (Southeastern Romania, Southeastern Europe). This geographical region is particularly interesting because of the extensive population flux following diverse migration routes, and the complex interactions between distinct population groups during the medieval period. We successfully amplified and typed the mitochondrial control region of 10 individuals. For five of them, we also reconstructed the complete mitochondrial genomes using hybridization-based DNA capture combined with Next Generation Sequencing. We have portrayed the genetic structure of the Capidava medieval population, represented by 10 individuals displaying 8 haplotypes (U5a1c2a, V1a, R0a2'3, H1, U3a, N9a9, H5e1a1, and H13a1a3). Remarkable for this site is the presence of both Central Asiatic (N9a) and common European mtDNA haplotypes, establishing Capidava as a point of convergence between East and West. The distribution of mtDNA lineages in the necropolis highlighted the existence of two groups of two individuals with close maternal relationships as they share the same haplotypes. We also sketch, using comparative statistical and population genetic analyses, the genetic relationships between the investigated dataset and other medieval and modern Eurasian populations.
Research Interests:
The medieval Sword from Deta The sword from Deta is an item found today in the collections of the City Museum of Deta (Timiș County). We do not know where did it came from or when it was discovered. It has a length of 1065 mm, from which... more
The medieval Sword from Deta
The sword from Deta is an item found today in the collections of the City Museum of Deta (Timiș County). We do not know where did it came from or when it was discovered. It has a length of 1065 mm, from which 915 mm are reserved for the blade. The convergent edges of the blade indicate that the sword was used both for strike and thrust. The grip is short and made from the same metal bar as the blade. The guard is straight and rectangular in section. The grip is closed by a lenticular pommel. From the multitude of similar items we find one in the same geographical area at Poiana Prisăcii (Caraş-Severin County). The most famous similar item is the ceremonial sword used at the crowning of German kings and emperors and found today in the imperial treasury from Viena.
The sword from Deta is an item found today in the collections of the City Museum of Deta (Timiș County). We do not know where did it came from or when it was discovered. It has a length of 1065 mm, from which 915 mm are reserved for the blade. The convergent edges of the blade indicate that the sword was used both for strike and thrust. The grip is short and made from the same metal bar as the blade. The guard is straight and rectangular in section. The grip is closed by a lenticular pommel. From the multitude of similar items we find one in the same geographical area at Poiana Prisăcii (Caraş-Severin County). The most famous similar item is the ceremonial sword used at the crowning of German kings and emperors and found today in the imperial treasury from Viena.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Medieval Pottery, and 12 moreArchaeology of Ritual and Magic, Funerary Practices, Necropolis, Early Medieval Burials, History of Transylvania, Funerary Rituals, Early Medieval Transylvania, Medieval graves, Arheologie Medievală, Necropolă Medievală, Early Medieval Graveyards, and Medeval arrowheads
THE MEDIEVAL DOMAIN OF PALA AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE OLD CHURCH FROM BĂUŢAR, CARAŞ-SEVERIN COUNTY
Research Interests:
Roman materials reused in medieval settlements from the valley of Secaș (Sibiu County) The construction of the nowadays Orăştie to Sibiu highway raised in 2011 - 2013 the necessity for archaeological research of a number of sites... more
Roman materials reused in medieval settlements from the valley of Secaș (Sibiu County)
The construction of the nowadays Orăştie to Sibiu highway raised in 2011 - 2013 the necessity for archaeological research of a number of sites previously unknown on its track. In Sibiu County from 8 archaeological sites researched on the present highway’s tract, 4 displayed medieval features the latest dating from the 12th – 13th Centuries. A large number of medieval features were thus documented and even larger quantities of archaeological materials were recovered in the process. Amongst these a special category is that of Roman materials reused in the economy of the medieval settlements. They consist mainly of construction materials (bricks, roof tiles, paving tiles, carved stones), but also (even thought in smaller quantities) pottery and coins.
The present paper is concerned with the Roman materials reused in the 12th – 13th Centuries features from three sites: Miercurea Băi – Cunța (conventionally named MS I), Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) and Apoldu de Jos (MS 5), all found on the track of A1 highway and on the valley of the small river Secaș. (Pl. 1) The paper aims on one hand to present the various ways in which the materials were reused and on the other to identify their source.
Most often Roman construction materials are reused also as construction materials. At Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) some were found included in stone ovens used for heating sunken houses (Pl. 2) and sometimes one or more bricks pave the hearth / bottom of such ovens (Pl. 3). At Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) a fragment from a Roman funerary stone dating from de 2nd Century was found broken and used in the construction of a stone oven for a sunken house. Often Roman bricks and tiles are found in open-air ovens paving their bottom. In the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) almost all open-air ovens have such hearths (Pl. 6.1 and 7). In the site from Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) we have only one such oven (Pl. 11). Recent discoveries on other highways (A 10) and in other counties (Alba) have added to the number of such discoveries (Pl. 8).
A special occurrence for the topic is the reuse of Roman materials for the construction of two pottery ovens found in the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I). They are both two chambered ovens with vertical draught. One has the grate supported by a median wall (Pl. 9.1), the other by a pillar (Pl. 9.2). The mouth of the first oven was built out of Roman bricks, stones and clay (Pl. 9.1). Its grate was found broken and a lot of pottery shards (some from clay cauldrons) were found inside. In the workhouse serving this oven a Roman stone column was found, bearing traces of an attempt to cut it. Not far from this first oven the other one was found (Pl. 9.2). The pillar supporting the grate of this other oven was made out of a Roman stone column, very likely a piece from the one found in the first oven’s workhouse.
Besides reusing Roman construction materials for building such features, they were also used as tools and implements. At Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) Roman bricks fragments with many carved lines (Pl. 9.5-6) were found in some features, the aspect being the result of sharpening pointed or bladed tools. Several fragments of tegulae which were rudimentary cut to a round shape were also found and were possibly used as weights. A square shaped tegula from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) also displays the beginning of what was to be a perforation. Similar items cut to a round shape and / or perforated were also recovered at Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) (Pl. 12.2). As weights were possibly used the roughly 20 pavement tiles found in a few features from Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) (Pl. 12.1). Although their number excludes an accidentally relocation, the variety of the features where they were discovered is not of much help in establishing their purpose. Finally another tool made out of a Roman material, this time a piece of marble was found at Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I). The square item displays traces of a rudimentary cutting on two edges and some fine lines on one side which might suggest it was used to smooth soft materials.
At Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) in a medieval feature a Roman coin was also found, but the small size of the item and the fact that it does not display any signs of intervention make equally possible an intentional use or an accidental relocation.
When it comes to identifying the source of the Roman materials reused in the three settlements the distance is equally proportionally to the frequency and dimmensions of the items found. In the case of the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) the medieval settlement overlaps a great-sized Roman building (possible a statio). (Pl. 10) It is also the site where highest quantities of Roman materials were found in medieval contexts. In the case of Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) although the source was not researched on the track of the highway it was found close by, in the point La Mălăiești, where Roman materials and structures were previously found. At Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) although there are several discoveries of Roman structures and materials signalled in the area, none is found nearby. During the research from 2012 - 2013 fractions of some old river beds were observed and with them large quantities of river-borne Roman materials. We consider these to be the source of the materials used Apoldu de Jos and they justify both the smaller quantities and dimensions of the Roman materials reused there.
As most of the archaeological materials accompanying the reused Roman materials (Pl. 4, 5, 6.2, 7.1, 11, 12.1) and some analogies found so far (Pl. 6.3-6, 8) date from 12th – 13th Centuries, we consider that these materials were reused in this period of time. Recent discoveries increase the number of contemporary examples, so we have chosen the topic to illustrate what we consider an important local ”nuance” of the settlements of the time. Yet the idea must not be sought in external influences or fashions of the time, but rather, we believe, in simple pragmatism. We find many examples in historical regions of Romania, in Serbia and in Hungary, from various chronological sequences.
The construction of the nowadays Orăştie to Sibiu highway raised in 2011 - 2013 the necessity for archaeological research of a number of sites previously unknown on its track. In Sibiu County from 8 archaeological sites researched on the present highway’s tract, 4 displayed medieval features the latest dating from the 12th – 13th Centuries. A large number of medieval features were thus documented and even larger quantities of archaeological materials were recovered in the process. Amongst these a special category is that of Roman materials reused in the economy of the medieval settlements. They consist mainly of construction materials (bricks, roof tiles, paving tiles, carved stones), but also (even thought in smaller quantities) pottery and coins.
The present paper is concerned with the Roman materials reused in the 12th – 13th Centuries features from three sites: Miercurea Băi – Cunța (conventionally named MS I), Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) and Apoldu de Jos (MS 5), all found on the track of A1 highway and on the valley of the small river Secaș. (Pl. 1) The paper aims on one hand to present the various ways in which the materials were reused and on the other to identify their source.
Most often Roman construction materials are reused also as construction materials. At Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) some were found included in stone ovens used for heating sunken houses (Pl. 2) and sometimes one or more bricks pave the hearth / bottom of such ovens (Pl. 3). At Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) a fragment from a Roman funerary stone dating from de 2nd Century was found broken and used in the construction of a stone oven for a sunken house. Often Roman bricks and tiles are found in open-air ovens paving their bottom. In the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) almost all open-air ovens have such hearths (Pl. 6.1 and 7). In the site from Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) we have only one such oven (Pl. 11). Recent discoveries on other highways (A 10) and in other counties (Alba) have added to the number of such discoveries (Pl. 8).
A special occurrence for the topic is the reuse of Roman materials for the construction of two pottery ovens found in the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I). They are both two chambered ovens with vertical draught. One has the grate supported by a median wall (Pl. 9.1), the other by a pillar (Pl. 9.2). The mouth of the first oven was built out of Roman bricks, stones and clay (Pl. 9.1). Its grate was found broken and a lot of pottery shards (some from clay cauldrons) were found inside. In the workhouse serving this oven a Roman stone column was found, bearing traces of an attempt to cut it. Not far from this first oven the other one was found (Pl. 9.2). The pillar supporting the grate of this other oven was made out of a Roman stone column, very likely a piece from the one found in the first oven’s workhouse.
Besides reusing Roman construction materials for building such features, they were also used as tools and implements. At Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) Roman bricks fragments with many carved lines (Pl. 9.5-6) were found in some features, the aspect being the result of sharpening pointed or bladed tools. Several fragments of tegulae which were rudimentary cut to a round shape were also found and were possibly used as weights. A square shaped tegula from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) also displays the beginning of what was to be a perforation. Similar items cut to a round shape and / or perforated were also recovered at Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) (Pl. 12.2). As weights were possibly used the roughly 20 pavement tiles found in a few features from Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) (Pl. 12.1). Although their number excludes an accidentally relocation, the variety of the features where they were discovered is not of much help in establishing their purpose. Finally another tool made out of a Roman material, this time a piece of marble was found at Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I). The square item displays traces of a rudimentary cutting on two edges and some fine lines on one side which might suggest it was used to smooth soft materials.
At Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) in a medieval feature a Roman coin was also found, but the small size of the item and the fact that it does not display any signs of intervention make equally possible an intentional use or an accidental relocation.
When it comes to identifying the source of the Roman materials reused in the three settlements the distance is equally proportionally to the frequency and dimmensions of the items found. In the case of the site from Miercurea Băi – Cunța (MS I) the medieval settlement overlaps a great-sized Roman building (possible a statio). (Pl. 10) It is also the site where highest quantities of Roman materials were found in medieval contexts. In the case of Miercurea Sibiului IV (MS IV) although the source was not researched on the track of the highway it was found close by, in the point La Mălăiești, where Roman materials and structures were previously found. At Apoldu de Jos (MS 5) although there are several discoveries of Roman structures and materials signalled in the area, none is found nearby. During the research from 2012 - 2013 fractions of some old river beds were observed and with them large quantities of river-borne Roman materials. We consider these to be the source of the materials used Apoldu de Jos and they justify both the smaller quantities and dimensions of the Roman materials reused there.
As most of the archaeological materials accompanying the reused Roman materials (Pl. 4, 5, 6.2, 7.1, 11, 12.1) and some analogies found so far (Pl. 6.3-6, 8) date from 12th – 13th Centuries, we consider that these materials were reused in this period of time. Recent discoveries increase the number of contemporary examples, so we have chosen the topic to illustrate what we consider an important local ”nuance” of the settlements of the time. Yet the idea must not be sought in external influences or fashions of the time, but rather, we believe, in simple pragmatism. We find many examples in historical regions of Romania, in Serbia and in Hungary, from various chronological sequences.
Research Interests: Medieval Archaeology, Medieval rural settlement, Transylvania, Brick and tile (Archaeology), Roman ceramic building material, and 13 moreSunken-Featured Buildings, History of Transylvania, 13th Century, 12th Century, Roman Archaeology, Pit-Houses, Pit Houses, Secaș, stone ovens, open-air ovens, pottery ovens, brick hearths, and roman materials reused
Research Interests: Medieval History, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Church History, Medieval Archaeology, 3D Reconstruction, and 15 moreArchaeology of Architecture, Medieval Art, Achaeology, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, History of Architecture and Town Planning, Mittelalterarchäologie, Romanic Art, Transsylvania, Transilvania, Earthworks, History of Towns, Siebenbürgen, History of Transsylvania, Orastie/Broos/Szasvaros, and Medieval Rotundas
Münzfunde aus der Brooser Burg.
Es werden 49 mittelalterliche Münzen veröffentlicht, die während der archäologischen Ausgrabungen in der Burg von Broos in der zeitspanne 1991-1995 gefunden wurden.
Es werden 49 mittelalterliche Münzen veröffentlicht, die während der archäologischen Ausgrabungen in der Burg von Broos in der zeitspanne 1991-1995 gefunden wurden.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval Studies, Urban History, Medieval Archaeology, Urban archaeology, and 12 moreMedieval numismatics, Arheologie, Numismatica, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Early Medieval Transylvania, Mittelalterarchäologie, Archäologie des Mittelalters, Arheologie Medievală, Descoperiri Monetare, Münzen, and Monede Medievale
Archaeological diggings in a medieval house in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Small Square, no. 24.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Medieval History, Landscape Archaeology, Medieval Studies, and 20 moreMedieval Archaeology, Archaeology of Buildings, Archaeology of Architecture, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Medieval Archeology; Medieval Towns, Stadtgeschichte, Archäologie, Arhaeology, Ancient History, Archaeology of medieval and early modern city, Mittelalterarchäologie, Transsylvania, Archäologie des Mittelalters, Arhitectural Heritage, Atra Si Arhitectura, Restaurare, Protejare, Sibiu, Hermannstadt, Arheologie Medievală, Arhitectură Medievală, Siebenbürgen, and geschichte der Siebenburger Sachsen
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Urban History, Medieval Archaeology, and 17 moreUrban archaeology, Archéologie, Arheologie, Histoire et archéologie du haut Moyen-âge, Stadtgeschichte, Stadtkernarchäologie, History of Transylvania, Early Medieval Transylvania, Mittelalterliche Geschichte, Mittelalterarchäologie, Archäologie des Mittelalters, Histoire Et Archéologie, Arheologie Medievală, Istoria Oraselor Transilvanene, Arheologie Urbana, Archaeology of towns, and oraşe în Transilvania şi Banat
Research Interests: Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Urban History, Urban Studies, Urban archaeology, and 11 moreGeschichte, Arheologie, Archäologie, Transsylvania, Stadtentwicklung, Siebenbürgen, Istoria Oraselor Transilvanene, Arheologie Urbana, geschichte der Siebenburger Sachsen, oraşe în Transilvania şi Banat, and Städtegeschichte und Archäologie
Betrachtungen zu einem mittelalterlichen Schwert aus dem Bistratal (Kreis Caraş-Severin)
Das Schwert wurde zufällig im jahre 1984 zwischen den Dörfern Măru und Poiana Mărului, entdekt. Die Waffe wurde im 14. Jahrhundert datiert.
Das Schwert wurde zufällig im jahre 1984 zwischen den Dörfern Măru und Poiana Mărului, entdekt. Die Waffe wurde im 14. Jahrhundert datiert.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Arms and Armor Studies, Medieval Archaeology, Banat, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, and 13 moreAncient Weapons and Warfare, Schwert, Archaeologie, Mittelalterarchäologie, Archäologie des Mittelalters, Waffenkunde, Swords, History of Banat, Armament Medieval, Valea Bistrei, Poiana Mărului, Banatul Montan, and Spada medievală
The paper is concerned with the archaeological findings from the Big Square in Sibiu, discovered at the beginning of 2005. The main discoveries were the supply pits, the old well of the square, the foundation of Roland's statue and the "... more
The paper is concerned with the archaeological findings from the Big Square in Sibiu, discovered at the beginning of 2005. The main discoveries were the supply pits, the old well of the square, the foundation of Roland's statue and the " Fools' Cage ". As most of them were mentioned in the old papers, the researches helped in establishing their exact location and in comparing the finds with the written information.
Research Interests:
Im Laufe der archäologischen Ausgrabungsarbeiten in der Brooser Burg, konnten Bewohnungsspuren aus dem 8.-9. Jh. festgestellt werden, über die, im 10.-11. Jh. eine Burg mit Erdwall und Palisade errichtet wurde. In der ersten Hälfte des... more
Im Laufe der archäologischen Ausgrabungsarbeiten in der Brooser Burg, konnten Bewohnungsspuren aus dem 8.-9. Jh. festgestellt werden, über die, im 10.-11. Jh. eine Burg mit Erdwall und Palisade errichtet wurde. In der ersten Hälfte des 12. Jh., wurde diese Burg durch einen Rechteckigen Steinturm (Bergfried) verstärkt. In derselben Zeitspanne hatte man auf dem Erdwall eine Steinkapelle mit kreisförmigem Grundriss (Rotunde) errichtet. Die Kapelle war mit einer kreisförmigen Krypta versehen. Um die mitte des 12. jh., wird der Bau erweitert, und im 14. Jh. als Wehrturm umgebaut. Die Krypta wird nach dem Bau der gotischen Kirche als Beinhaus, (Karner) benutzt. Im 19. Jh., wurde der zu Ruine verfallener Bau als Kalkgrube und schlieslich als Schuttgrube genutzt.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval Church History, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Archaeology of Architecture, and 27 moreCeramics (Archaeology), Church Archaeology, Medieval Churches, Church and Castle archaeology, Funeral Archaeology, Medieval Fortifications, Istoria Arhitecturii Medievale, Funeral Monuments, Coins, Arrowheads, Graves, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Medieval church architecture, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, Medieval Chapels, Funeral Rites, Medieval Castles and Fortresses, Medieval churches; architectural symbolism; church towers, Medieval Church Archaeology, Arhitectura, Arheologie, Patrimoniu, Arhitectura Religioasa, Arheologie Medievală, History of Transilvania, Rotunda, Orastie/Broos/Szasvaros, Cetatea Orastiei, and Krypta
Betrachtungen zum Waffenkultus. Der geistige und szmbolische Wert von Waffen in der mittelalterlichen Mentalität. Durch Bezüge auf die nordische Mythologie und anhand der Heldensagen, versucht der Verfasser, den um die mittelalterlichen... more
Betrachtungen zum Waffenkultus. Der geistige und szmbolische Wert von Waffen in der mittelalterlichen Mentalität.
Durch Bezüge auf die nordische Mythologie und anhand der Heldensagen, versucht der Verfasser, den um die mittelalterlichen Waffen entstandenen Aberglauben zu klären. Es werden waffen mit Symbolwert erörtert oder solche mit gerichtlicher Bedeutung, Darstellungen von Waffen in der Ikonographie und Heraldik. Eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird den Waffen geschenkt die als Grabbeigaben verwendet wurden, oder jenen die zu rituellen, magisch-religiosen Zwecken verformt oder gebrochen wurden.
Durch Bezüge auf die nordische Mythologie und anhand der Heldensagen, versucht der Verfasser, den um die mittelalterlichen Waffen entstandenen Aberglauben zu klären. Es werden waffen mit Symbolwert erörtert oder solche mit gerichtlicher Bedeutung, Darstellungen von Waffen in der Ikonographie und Heraldik. Eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird den Waffen geschenkt die als Grabbeigaben verwendet wurden, oder jenen die zu rituellen, magisch-religiosen Zwecken verformt oder gebrochen wurden.
Research Interests: Medieval History, Migration, Folk legends, Migration Studies, Sagas, and 12 moreArchaeology of Ritual and Magic, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, Symbols, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Mitologie, Mitologia Nordica, Superstitions and Rituals, Ritual Practices, Old Nordic/Germanic Religions, Religious and Magical Practices, Cultul Armelor, and Cult Si Ritual
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval Studies, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, and 27 moreEthnicity, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Funerary Practices, Medieval Artefacts, Medieval cemeteries, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, Funerary Rituals, Migration Period Archaeology, Mittelalterliche Geschichte, Mittelalterarchäologie, Glasperlen, Medieval graves, Archäologie des Mittelalters, Arheologie Medievală, Earrings, Armrings, History of Transilvania, Pandantiv, Morminte Medievale, Inventar Funerar, Orastie/Broos/Szasvaros, Mittelalterliches Graberfeld, Istoria Transilvaniei, Necropolă Medievală, Cercei medievali, Ciumbrud, and Kurt Horedt
Ein mittelalterliches Schwert aus Jupa (Kreis Caraş-Severin). Das Schwert wurde zufallig in dem Flussbet der Temesch gefunden. Durch Vergleiche mit ahnliche Waffen, mittelalterliche Waffendarstelungen und mit Hilfe der Fachliteratur wird... more
Ein mittelalterliches Schwert aus Jupa (Kreis Caraş-Severin).
Das Schwert wurde zufallig in dem Flussbet der Temesch gefunden. Durch Vergleiche mit ahnliche Waffen, mittelalterliche Waffendarstelungen und mit Hilfe der Fachliteratur wird das Schwert in das 14. Jh. datiert.
Das Schwert wurde zufallig in dem Flussbet der Temesch gefunden. Durch Vergleiche mit ahnliche Waffen, mittelalterliche Waffendarstelungen und mit Hilfe der Fachliteratur wird das Schwert in das 14. Jh. datiert.
Research Interests:
Das mittelalterliche Schwert von Bucova. Das Schwert wird aufgrund der Form und der Gestaltung seiner Teile in die Gruppe der schweren einhandigen Hiebschwerter, d.h., Typus XII-H (R.E. Oakeshott), und in der Zeitspanne vom ende des... more
Das mittelalterliche Schwert von Bucova.
Das Schwert wird aufgrund der Form und der Gestaltung seiner Teile in die Gruppe der schweren einhandigen Hiebschwerter, d.h., Typus XII-H (R.E. Oakeshott), und in der Zeitspanne vom ende des 13. bis anfang des 14. Jh., eingereiht, wobei eine langere Verwendungszeit nicht ausgeschlossen ist.
Das Schwert wird aufgrund der Form und der Gestaltung seiner Teile in die Gruppe der schweren einhandigen Hiebschwerter, d.h., Typus XII-H (R.E. Oakeshott), und in der Zeitspanne vom ende des 13. bis anfang des 14. Jh., eingereiht, wobei eine langere Verwendungszeit nicht ausgeschlossen ist.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Swords, Symbolism, Comparative Mythology, Medieval Weapons and Equipment, and 13 moreMittelalter, Arrowheads, Schwert, History of Transylvania, Mittelalterarchäologie, Transilvania, Waffenkunde, Medieval Swords, Swords, Stirrup, Stirrup, horse equipment, Siebenbürgen, and Siebenburgische Geschichte
Research Interests:
Die Mittelalterlichen Schwerter aus der Sammlung des Caransebescher Museums (Typologische Betrachtungen - Ikonographische Analogien)
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Banat of Temesvar, Weapons, Banat, and 10 moreMedieval Weapons and Equipment, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, Early Medieval Weapons and Warfare, Early Medieval Swords, Medieval Swords, History of Banat, Viking Age Weapons, Spade Medievale, Arme Medievale, and Muzeul Banatului Timişoara
The article deals with a medieval sword kept and exhibited at present in the Museum in Constanţa.
Research Interests:
Mittelalterliche Schwerter aus der Sammlung des Fogarascher Museums, (13.-15. Jh)
Research Interests:
Das Frühmittelalterliche Gräberfeld von Brooser Böhmerberg, Fundstelle X2 - 1992-92.
Research Interests: Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Arrowheads, Zabala, Medieval graves, and 15 moreMedieval Earrings, perioada feudala timpurie din Transilvania, Medieval Horsemanship, Inventar Funerar, Dealul pemilor, Echipament Militar Medieval, Transilvania medievală, Necropolă Medievală, Vârfuri De Săgeată, Scăriţe De Călarie, Butoni Globulari, Orăştie, Medieval Rings, Inel Sigilar Medieval, and Piese De Podoabă
Ein mittelalterliches Schwert aus Broos
Research Interests:
Early Medieval Necropolis from Orăştie - Dealul Pemilor X2.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Ritual, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, and 17 moreTransylvania, Arheologie, Graves, Necropolis, Archaeology of the Funeral Ritual, Votive offerings, Early Medieval Transylvania, Medieval graves, Transilvania, Arheologie Medievală, Morminte Medievale, Inventar Funerar, Necropolă Medievală, Accesorii Vestimentare, Orăştie, Săgeţi, and Piese De Podoabă
The Ciumbrud type Necropolis at Orăştie "Dealul Pemilor", point X8.
Neue mittelalterliche Gräber der Ciumbrud Gruppe aus Broos/Orăştie, Fundstelle Böhmerberg / Dealul Pemilor X8.
Neue mittelalterliche Gräber der Ciumbrud Gruppe aus Broos/Orăştie, Fundstelle Böhmerberg / Dealul Pemilor X8.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Ritual, Medieval Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Funeral Practices, and 30 moreTransylvania, Great Migration period, Arheologie, Necropolis, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, History of Transylvania, Migration Period Archaeology, Early Medieval Transylvania, Medieval graves, Transilvania, Pendants, Medieval Bracelets, Medieval Earrings, perioada feudala timpurie din Transilvania, Arheologie Medievală, Morminte Medievale, Inventar Funerar, Orastie/Broos/Szasvaros, Inel De Bronz, Necropolă Medievală, Brăţară Bronz, Mărgele, Orăştie, Medieval Rings, Medieval graveyard, 9.th Century, Medieval glass pearls, Cercei medievali, Colan Din Bronz, and Ritual Funerar
Das Haus in der Färbergasse nr. 13 (Hermannstadt) Archäologische Forschungen. Gelegentlich der Sanierung des Hauses nr.13 in der Färbergasse, wurden archäologische Grabungen durchgeführt. Es stellte sich heraus, das anstelle des... more
Das Haus in der Färbergasse nr. 13 (Hermannstadt) Archäologische Forschungen.
Gelegentlich der Sanierung des Hauses nr.13 in der Färbergasse, wurden archäologische Grabungen durchgeführt. Es stellte sich heraus, das anstelle des jetziges Hauses (18. Jh) zwei mittelalterliche Häuser standen. Die Grundmauern dieser älteren Häuser sind auf Holzpfosten gestützt. Auch wurde der künstlich angelegte Wasserkanal erforscht und es konnten Spuren der hölzernen Randbefestigung dieses Kanals freigelegt werden, sowie die Reste eines Steges der zum Hauseingang fühtre erforscht werden.
Gelegentlich der Sanierung des Hauses nr.13 in der Färbergasse, wurden archäologische Grabungen durchgeführt. Es stellte sich heraus, das anstelle des jetziges Hauses (18. Jh) zwei mittelalterliche Häuser standen. Die Grundmauern dieser älteren Häuser sind auf Holzpfosten gestützt. Auch wurde der künstlich angelegte Wasserkanal erforscht und es konnten Spuren der hölzernen Randbefestigung dieses Kanals freigelegt werden, sowie die Reste eines Steges der zum Hauseingang fühtre erforscht werden.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Towns, Arheologie, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, and 12 moreArhitectura, istorie, arheologie, Transilvania, Urban Archaeology, Sibiu, Hermannstadt, Arheologie Medievală, Siebenbürgen, Istorie Urbana, Arheologie Urbana, Stadtgeschichte Hermannstadt, geschichte der Stadt Hermannstadt, and Town Archaeology
Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Medieval Archaeology, Transylvania, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, and 10 moreMedieval church architecture, Stadtgeschichte, Medieval Chapels, Medieval Church, History of Architecture and Town Planning, History of Arhitecture, Sibiu, Rotunda, geschichte der Stadt Hermannstadt, and 12.th Century
Research Interests: Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, History of Art, Early Modern History/Central European History/ Transilvania, and 24 moreTransylvania, Late Medieval Archaeology, Urban archaeology, Medieval fortification, Medieval and Early Modern History of the German Minority in Transylvania/Hungary, Arhitectura, istorie, arheologie, History of Transylvania, History of Architecture and Town Planning, Medieval Archaeology Urban Archaeology Early and High Medieval Fortified Centrescentre, Arhitectura, Arheologie, Patrimoniu, City walls, Arhitectural Heritage, Medieval and Renaissance History, Arhitecture and Identity, History of Towns, Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Sibiu, Arhitectură Medievală, Town Hall, Istorie Urbana, Arheologie Urbana, Sibiu town history, Casa Sfatului, and Late Medieval Prison
Cine vrea să studieze istoria acestui măreţ fapt care e civilizaţia europeană nu procedează nici arbitrar, nici pur formal dacă ia Franţa drept ax al cercetării (F. Guizot). Pornind de la această afirmaţie şi încercând o parafrazare a ei,... more
Cine vrea să studieze istoria acestui măreţ fapt care e civilizaţia europeană nu procedează nici arbitrar, nici pur formal dacă ia Franţa drept ax al cercetării (F. Guizot). Pornind de la această afirmaţie şi încercând o parafrazare a ei, demersul nostru doreşte să aducă în prim plan, să ia drept „ax al cercetării” ideea şi idealul ce a marcat perioada migraţiilor şi a evului mediu timpuriu pe întregul continent, şi anume acea renovatio imperii romanorum. În acest sens, am urmărit ca mod de abordare şi am preluat modelul oferit de monumentala monografie a Evului Mediu întocmită de profesorul Harald Zimmermann, căruia ţinem să-i aducem cu acest prilej mulţumiri pentru numeroasele şi constructivele discuţii purtate pe această temă la Sibiu şi Tübingen. În egală măsură se cuvine să ne îndreptăm cu gratitudine gândurile spre mentorii noştri, profesori ai universităţii sibiene, ce ne-au deschis drumul abordării acestei problematici şi ne-au fost model şi ideal: Anamaria Haldner şi dr. Thomas Nägler.
Europa se construieşte. Iată o mare speranţă, care se va înfăptui numai dacă se va ţine seama de istorie: o Europă fără istorie ar fi orfană şi nenorocită – spunea Jacques Le Goff în Cuvântul înainte al cărţii lui Peter Brown, Întemeierea creştinismului occidental – şi cât adevăr conţin aceste cuvinte! Continuând ideea sa considerăm că durabilitatea unei Europe unite nu poate rezida decât într-o foarte bună cunoaştere a istorie sale şi a regiunilor care au avut un rol determinant în schimbările geopolitice petrecute pe bătrânul continent, iar una dintre aceste regiuni este şi Orientul Apropiat. Parafrazându-l în continuare pe Jacques Le Goff, putem spune că volumul de faţă doreşte să contribuie, mai ales din punct de vedere didactic, cu răspunsuri la întrebări cum ar fi ”Cine suntem? De unde venim? Încotro ne îndreptăm?” ca „naţiune unică” a continentului european.
Istoria Europei Occidentale din Evul Mediu timpuriu a stat, în ultimele decenii, la baza unor studii de o calitate deosebită, care nu fac altceva decât să sublinieze că expresia de Evul Întunecat este pe nedrept atribuită perioadei cuprinsă între căderea Imperiului Roman de Apus şi constituirea marilor regate creştine ale Europei. Pe de altă parte Jacques Le Goff atrage atenţia să nu stăruim în jocul derizoriu al unei legende strălucitoare despre Evul Mediu pe care s-o substituim legendei întunecate din secolele trecute. Nu aceasta înseamnă un alt Ev Mediu – acesta ar trebui să fie elaborat pornind de la sursele literare, arheologice, artistice, juridice… Această adevărată profesiune de credinţă ar trebui însuşită de toţi cei care doresc să aprofundeze studiul perioadei medievale.
Pornind de la necesitatea cunoaşterii informaţiei primare, înainte de orice posibilă interpretare, am dorit prin această lucrare să aducem la cunoştinţa unui public format în special din studenţii facultăţilor de istorie, un crâmpei din mozaicul încărcat de legendar şi miraculos al evului mediu timpuriu. Din acest motiv a fost aleasă o modalitate „tradiţională”, didactică, de prezentare a problematicilor, nelăsând la o parte şi anumite tematici care se înscriu în linia modernă de reactualizare a istoriei perioadelor trecute. Considerăm însă că volumul de faţă se poate în egală măsură adresa unui public mai larg şi tot mai interesat de trecutul în care stau adânc înfipte rădăcinile unor probleme majore, ce marchează cu gravitate, chiar în zilele noastre tensiunile mentale, social-politice şi militare apărute într-o lume aflată în pragul globalizării, datorită polarizărilor născute în adâncul Evului Mediu, între Europa şi Orientul Apropiat.
Europa se construieşte. Iată o mare speranţă, care se va înfăptui numai dacă se va ţine seama de istorie: o Europă fără istorie ar fi orfană şi nenorocită – spunea Jacques Le Goff în Cuvântul înainte al cărţii lui Peter Brown, Întemeierea creştinismului occidental – şi cât adevăr conţin aceste cuvinte! Continuând ideea sa considerăm că durabilitatea unei Europe unite nu poate rezida decât într-o foarte bună cunoaştere a istorie sale şi a regiunilor care au avut un rol determinant în schimbările geopolitice petrecute pe bătrânul continent, iar una dintre aceste regiuni este şi Orientul Apropiat. Parafrazându-l în continuare pe Jacques Le Goff, putem spune că volumul de faţă doreşte să contribuie, mai ales din punct de vedere didactic, cu răspunsuri la întrebări cum ar fi ”Cine suntem? De unde venim? Încotro ne îndreptăm?” ca „naţiune unică” a continentului european.
Istoria Europei Occidentale din Evul Mediu timpuriu a stat, în ultimele decenii, la baza unor studii de o calitate deosebită, care nu fac altceva decât să sublinieze că expresia de Evul Întunecat este pe nedrept atribuită perioadei cuprinsă între căderea Imperiului Roman de Apus şi constituirea marilor regate creştine ale Europei. Pe de altă parte Jacques Le Goff atrage atenţia să nu stăruim în jocul derizoriu al unei legende strălucitoare despre Evul Mediu pe care s-o substituim legendei întunecate din secolele trecute. Nu aceasta înseamnă un alt Ev Mediu – acesta ar trebui să fie elaborat pornind de la sursele literare, arheologice, artistice, juridice… Această adevărată profesiune de credinţă ar trebui însuşită de toţi cei care doresc să aprofundeze studiul perioadei medievale.
Pornind de la necesitatea cunoaşterii informaţiei primare, înainte de orice posibilă interpretare, am dorit prin această lucrare să aducem la cunoştinţa unui public format în special din studenţii facultăţilor de istorie, un crâmpei din mozaicul încărcat de legendar şi miraculos al evului mediu timpuriu. Din acest motiv a fost aleasă o modalitate „tradiţională”, didactică, de prezentare a problematicilor, nelăsând la o parte şi anumite tematici care se înscriu în linia modernă de reactualizare a istoriei perioadelor trecute. Considerăm însă că volumul de faţă se poate în egală măsură adresa unui public mai larg şi tot mai interesat de trecutul în care stau adânc înfipte rădăcinile unor probleme majore, ce marchează cu gravitate, chiar în zilele noastre tensiunile mentale, social-politice şi militare apărute într-o lume aflată în pragul globalizării, datorită polarizărilor născute în adâncul Evului Mediu, între Europa şi Orientul Apropiat.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Ethnic minorities, Minority Rights, Minorities, History of the German minority in Romania, Interetnic Relation, and 11 moreVölkerrecht, Minderheiten, Minderheitengeschichte, Bevölkerung, Deutsche Minderheit in Rumanien, Minderheitenpolitik, Volksgruppen, Volkszählung, ethnische minderheiten in Rumänien, Muttersprachen, and Rückerstattung
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Ethnic Studies, Migration, Ethnicity, Colonization, Transylvanian Saxons, and 22 moreHistory of the German minority in Romania, National minorities, Ethnicity and National Identity, Relatii Interetnice, Danube Swabians, German minorities, Interetnic Relation, Zipser Sachsen, Banater Schwaben, geschichte der Siebenburger Sachsen, Banat swabians, Satmar schwaben, Dobrutscha deutsche, Buchenland deutsche, Banater Berglanddeutsche, Germanii Dobrogeni, germanii din Bucovina, şvabii Bănăţeni, şvabii Sătmăreni, germanii din Banatul Montan, Zipserii, and istoria germanilor din România
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Noile săpături preventive de la Tărtăria-Gura Luncii (2014) au dus la descoperirea unui complex arheologic Turdaș III în afara perimetrului sitului preistoric, la sud de acesta. Turdaș Culture at Tărtăria-Gura Luncii. Archaeological... more
Noile săpături preventive de la Tărtăria-Gura Luncii (2014) au dus la descoperirea unui complex arheologic Turdaș III în afara perimetrului sitului preistoric, la sud de acesta. Turdaș Culture at Tărtăria-Gura Luncii. Archaeological Discoveries from 2014 The new preventive excavations in Tărtăria-Gura Luncii (2014) led to the discovery of a Turdaș III archaeological feature outside the prehistoric site, south of it.