The "Alburnus Maior" National Research Program

           The Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization in Deva had its research sector on the land referred to as "Hăbad", consisting of two properties: the property of the Greek-Catholic church and the property owned by the Oprişa family. The area, located on the northwestern slopes of the "Brădoaia" massif, consists of vast meadows, with clusters of shrubs, delimited by forests. The hydrographic system is well represented by water sources and small streams. The area consists of both rough and relatively even ground. The man-made relief consists of an abandoned puddle used for processing gold ore. The sector is intersected by a country road, which, in some areas, may overlap the ancient and medieval road.
           Three research areas were established according to the ground; they were marked with stereographic coordinates. 41 archaeological sections were traced on the two properties (Oprişa and the Greek-Catholic church).
           In Zone no. 1 [1], property of the Greek-Catholic church (Fig. 1), three sections were drawn at the southern limit of the sector; this is a ground with a slight slope, delimited by a small water source. The sections were sterile from the archaeological point of view, except for several modern-time iron items and a medieval spur with small wheel (Fig. 3/1); the stratigraphic sequence was natural: vegetal layer (0-0.20 m), grayish-brown clay (-0.20-0.40 m), ochre clay (-0.40-0.60 m) and the geological waste, light gray with reddish pigments of metallic oxides (the so-called glum; -0.60-0.80 m).
           The Zone no. 2 [2] (Fig. 2), consisting of a high plateau under the peak of the "Brădoaia" massif, was investigated by opening 13 sections. The result was the discovery of the remains of a modern-time dwelling, conventionally marked L1 (Fig. 3/2). The ceramic material retrieved here, as well as two coins, one coin of 100 lei from 1943 and another of 20 lei from 1944, rendered the chronological dating of the dwelling very precise.
           Most of the sections finally concentrated into Zone no. 3 [3] (Fig. 4) where ancient vestiges were retrieved. The surface consists of a plateau with a slight slope towards the west, delimited by the forest. From the very beginning, we must say that we would expect to find Roman archaeological traces in this area, as some ancient vestiges had already been accidentally discovered as early as the 19^th century. Later, in 1983-1984, with the expansion of the mining activities, V. Wollmann made rescue excavations on this plateau and recovered a large number of votive altars [4]. Also, the surface underwent stratigraphic excavations during the investigations made in 2000 by the archaeological team from the Union Museum in Alba Iulia [5].
           During the 2001 archaeological campaign, the Hăbad plateau was investigated by two institutions: the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization in Deva and the Institute of Archaeology and Art History in Cluj Napoca. The area investigated by the team from Deva occupies approximately two thirds of the plateau surface, while the team from Cluj investigated the northern third part. This was emphasized, because, from an archaeological point of view, the entire plateau is covered with buildings that, in our opinion, form a unitary ensemble. However, we need to mention the fact that, according to the topographical information published by V. Wollmann [6], the area investigated at the beginning of the 9^th decade of the last century and, therefore, most of the archaeological discoveries were made on the northern side of the plateau.
           Coming back to the area assigned to be investigated by our team, from south to north we uncovered three edifices conventionally named L2, L3 and L4. From a methodological point of view, they were identified in sections and surfaces, 8.00 - 15.00 m long, separated by 0.50 m earth witnesses.
           The first of them, named L2 (fig. 5), appeared in the southwestern part of the plateau. Due to the ground configuration, which did not allow the investigation of large surfaces, we opened several sections later, in order to find the building outline. In most of these sections, we found the course of several walls made of stone bound with clay and we retrieved archaeological material that mostly consisted of ceramics. The excavation depth is 1.20 m.
           The stratigraphy is the following: 0-0.10 m, vegetal layer; 0.10-0.40 m, culture layer of dark gray colour; 0.40-0.50 m, reddish-yellow layer, without any archaeological finds; 0.50-0.60 m, clayey layer, reddish-yellow, containing ceramic fragments; 0.60-1.20 m, brick-coloured clayey layer, impregnated with blue-gray clay (a mining residue), without any archaeological finds.
           The building consists of several rooms, marked with the letters A to E, with the dimensions: 12.50 x 5.50 m (A), 10.00 x 3.50 m (B), 3.50 x 3.50 m (C), 6.00 x 6.00 m (E). The building plan is a quadrilateral made up of rectangular rooms and has a total length of 25 m, with a width of 9.50 m. The center is made up of room A, while the other rooms, B, C, D and E are located on 3 sides of the central room. Room D seems to be separated from the central room by a corridor. The entrance is located on the North side. In front of it there is a river-stone pavement. Another entrance certainly existed on the northern side of room A, yet not at the center, as one would expect it, but towards its eastern corner. It is interesting to note that both entrances are located at the rooms corners and the above-mentioned pavement extends along both rooms. A similar pavement was also identified on the South side of room A, in S26. One conclusion that can be drawn is that either the central room could be entered into from two sides, or the entrances, and, therefore, the rooms were not used simultaneously and we are dealing with several reconstructions. Unfortunately, the treading levels inside the edifice are not clearly visible; a possible support might be the concentration of the archaeological material into two layers separated by a layer with no archaeological material.
           In rooms A and B we found possible hearths, with traces of long-term firing. The hearths are simple, without any kind of arrangement. An internal partitioning wall delimits the hearth in room A.
           As the building was affected by multiple interventions, we do not have sufficient data to state, beyond any doubt, that some of the uncovered rows are part of the elevation. It is highly possible that the stone structures were just foundations of wooden walls. Even today, dwellings in the mountain areas are built out of wood [7], on stone foundations. The walls' height ranges between 0.15-0.20 m and the number of rows ranges from 2-3 up to 6-8; in this case, the wall is as high as 1.10 m. The stone used to build the edifice is mainly river stone mixed with a small amount/percentage of quarry stone. The stones are only bound with clay.
           The archaeological material is rather poor and mainly consists of ceramics, two fibulae, an epigraphic altar, a few iron objects, as well as numerous nails, the presence of which is, at least partially, logically linked to the fact that the walls and the roof were made out of wood.
           The ceramics found on site is entirely of common use. Most vessels are local products, made of a semi-fine to rough paste, which contains a lot of iron oxide and quartz. The firing is of medium quality. The colour ranges between light orange and reddish colour [8]. From a first level, located at a depth of 0.50 m, we retrieved ceramic fragments made of a fine, well-burnt, orange paste [9]. We also discovered gray ceramic fragments [10], made of semi-fine to rough paste, with a lot of iron oxide and quartz, with a medium-quality firing.
           The main ceramic forms are flat bottom plates, pots for cooking and storing, pitchers, cups with one handle and lids (Figs. 6/1-6, 7/1-4). Also was discovered a fragmentary amphora of Bjelajac III type (Fig. 8/1), a fragmentary lamp of Loeschcke VIII type, with five spouts (Fig. 8/2) and two fragments of casting mould used for making terra sigillata (Fig. 8/3).
           As for the distribution of the ceramic material, this was found relatively uniformly spread over the entire surface of the building, with a higher concentration in the North-West corner of the edifice, next to the stone platform (a possible alley), where there was a (natural?) alveolate structure, possibly a sewerage hole. Unfortunately, due to modern works (wooden fence marking the property and an access road for the drilling equipment), the excavation could not be continued in that direction, in order to confirm the existence of a closed complex and its relation to the building.
           Other unusual objects discovered inside the edifice are a stone phalus (Fig. 9/1) and an iron dagger (Fig. 9/2).
           The most important elements of the archaeological inventory are the items which might allow a more precise dating of the discovered complex: the fibulae and the votive altar. The first discovered fibula is made of bronze (Fig. 9/3); it is of the de heavily shaped type (the Almgren 70 variant) [11], which in Dacia is dated to the first half of the 2^nd century A.D. The second one is a crossbow-shaped iron fibula [12] (Fig. 9/4), and the discoveries of this type from Dacia only come from the 3^rd century A.D. levels.
           The altar (Figs. 10/1-2) appeared outside the edifice, next to the West wall, at a depth of approx. 0.30 m from the present treading level, at the ancient treading level.
           The dedicator's name is an Illyrian cognomen [13]; in Dalmatia it is most often attested in the form Platus, not Romanized by the -ius ending. In the form Platius it only appears twice in the empire, in Dalmatia and in Hispania [14]; now it is attested for the first time in Dacia [15].
           A particularity of the text is that it does not have an ending formula, but this is not the only such case attested at Roşia Montană [16].
           As for its legal status, the beneficiary is a peregrine (he does not have tria nomina), of Illyrian origin, but we can assume that he was in an advanced state of Romanization, as long as he bears a Latinized name [17].
           Just like most epigraphs found at Alburnus Maior, this item does not allow a precise dating. Based on strictly epigraphic criteria, because the beneficiary does not have Roman citizenship, we can assume the year 212 A.D. to be the terminus ante quem (the date when Roman citizenship was generalized in the entire empire through Constitutio Antoniniana).
           From the stylistical point of view, this altar belongs to a series of similar items that only appear at Roşia Montană [18]. This is the type with a crowning made of a simple profile of three successive listels overlapped by a flat band; the band is decorated with two spirals at the corners and a triangular pediment at the middle [19]. Out of the 27 altars found during V. Wollmann's excavations in the North part of the plateau, 7 are of this type. 8 other altars previously discovered in different parts of Roşia Montană add up to the number of 15. It is very likely that they were made in the same local workshop. Whether this workshop was the property of one craftsman or it functioned during several generations, we would not know. What we do know is that the workshop was functioning after 170 A.D., since a beneficiarius of Dacia's consul erects an altar of this type in the exact area where our item was found [20].
           In conclusion, we propose a dating of the altar, roughly between 170-212 A.D.
           Concerning the functionality of the building, we remind that, based on the previous discoveries, V. Wollmann advanced the hypothesis of a sacred grove (lucus) [21]. Considering the new discoveries, it has become obvious that we must differentiate among them. Some of the edifices and masonry structures uncovered on this plateau are definitely cult edifices (places of worship) or even the premises of some of the numerous collegia attested in inscriptions. The plan of some of the buildings [22], as well as the large number of altars discovered, support such a hypothesis. This does not mean that all buildings were necessarily temples. The plan of the L2 edifice, as well as the nature of the retrieved archaeological material, do not support such a categorization. The presence of an altar in close proximity to the dwelling is not enough to consider the edifice sacred, especially as this may be in secondary position [23]. One more argument is that the ceramic was entirely intended for common use; there are no fragments from typical cult vessels, such as turibula, paterae or casseroles. On the other hand, one of the essential problems of the habitat at Roşia Montană is identifying the dwellings of the miners and of the locals. Out of the 27 de altars uncovered on the Hăbad plateau, 4 attest the existence of a K(astellum) Ansis or of a community consisting of its inhabitants, K(astellani) Ansi [24].As these appeared in groups in this area of Roşia Montană, it is logical to assume the existence of this kastellum on this site. If we correlate the epigraphic information with the archaeological information, we find out that the edifices uncovered on the Hăbad plateau belong to K(astellum) Ansis, probably to its central area, which included not only the cult edifices, but also the dwellings of the community leaders or, at least, of those who were richer.
           In conclusion, based on what we have shown above, we consider that the L2 edifice is a dwelling place.
           Regarding the chronology of the edifice, we do not have sufficient data for a more precise dating, but a very general one: the Roman period. The analysis of the archaeological material and of its arrangement in layers would suggest that the L2 edifice has two construction phases. The first phase, corresponding to the first level from which we retrieved the bronze fibula and part of the ceramics, would correspond, chronologically, to the middle of the 2^nd century A.D. the second phase - the level with the altar, the iron fibula and the phalus - would correspond, roughly speaking, to the first half of the 3^rd century.
           Towards North-East of L2, approximately 100 m away, was uncovered another ancient building, marked L3.
           The archaeological excavations reached a depth of 0.60 m, at which point we came across the native rock. The stratigraphy is as follows: 0-0.10 m - the present-time vegetal layer; -0.10-0.40 m - a culture layer of dark gray colour; -0.40-0.60 m - a brownish-yellow layer, archaeologically sterile.
           From the very stage when the vegetal layer was being removed, we found stone clusters, which suggested the existence of a building. Several areas were opened, so that we could uncover the entire building. Right under the vegetal layer, we found large areas of debris, grouped along the outline of the walls (Fig. 11/1). The cleaning of the vestiges revealed the edifice dimensions, as we delimited the course of the wall. On the northern and western sides, a part of the wall was removed, but we kept some elements which allowed us to mark its path.
           At 2 m away from the southwestern corner of the building, we uncovered a portion of about 1 m from a wall built perpendicularly to the western side of the building. This wall ends abruptly, as the modern-time road crossing the plateau destroyed the room where it belonged.
           At the same time, we identified some interior and exterior arrangements, which complete the image of this edifice. Thus, inside we discovered a transversal alignment, 0.60 m wide, made out of three rows of square stones positioned next to each other. Another archaeological complex found inside the building is an almost circular arrangement, made out of stones, with the maximum diameter of 1.50 m on the outside, in which we noticed slight traces of coal and ashes.
           Outside the building, in the C1 square of the S29 section, at a depth of 0.20 m, we discovered a circular stone arrangement, with the outer diameter of 0.80 m, and the inner diameter of 0.25 m (Fig. 11/2). An identical arrangement, of 0.60 m, 0.20 m respectively, was uncovered approximately 4 m North of the first one, in the S31 section. Inside and around them there were faint traces of burn and coal.
           On the northern side of the building, we uncovered a large faceted stone block pedestal, aligned to the wall. It was attached to a platform made of quarry stone. In front of it, we discovered several fragments of a monument, which had fallen off the platform (Figs. 12/1-2).
           The building planimetry and the arrangements adjacent to it, its location in the sacred area of Hăbad, as well as the archaeological material that we retrieved, suggest that we are dealing with an edifice with religious character.
           The building construction method, plan and dimensions were deduced, based on the archaeological information (Fig. 13). The building is oriented on the East-West direction, with a deviation to the North. The deviation was undoubtedly imposed by the available space, as the edifice occupies the entire width of the plateau, which also has a mild slanting angle to the North-West in this area [25].
           The builders adapted to the ground configuration and leveled up the lower portions with more stone layers. The wall of the edifice, from which only one seating was generally preserved, has a variable thickness, 0.80 m on average, and is made of non-refined quarry stone, bound with clay. We can notice the existence of small brick fragments embedded among the other elements of the construction. This unfilled wall, which is in fact the base of the building, also corresponds to the ancient treading level. This explains why the debris is at the same level with the foundation. We did not notice the existence of several construction phases.
           There is no doubt that such a foundation could not support a stone edifice. Therefore, the discoveries suggest the existence of a not very high elevation, made of stone and bound with clay, with light wooden structure on top of it. The roof was probably made of wooden material as well, as we did not find any tegulae. This construction technique is also confirmed by the numerous metallic objects (nails, spikes) discovered during the investigation.
           Regarding the building planimetry, we consider that it is in relation with its destination. Thus, it is certain that the circular stone arrangements discovered in the eastern part of the building mark the position of supporting pillars [26]. Such construction elements probably had the esthetic function of columns or pilasters as well, as they formed a portico (nave?). The location of the stone arrangements suggests the existence of two rows of pillars which supported the roof. The first row, situated approximately 3.50 m away from the wall of the building, was made up of four pillars, two at the center and two in the corners, while the second row was made up of either four pillars or the columns at the corner of the building. According to the principles of Roman architecture, such a façade corresponds to a prostyl type edifice [27].
           The main building of the edifice is a quadrilateral construction with equal sides (10 x 10 m). In the western part there probably was a smaller apse, as suggested by the discovered wall fragment and by its position. Preserving its symmetry, this room had an exterior width of approx. 6.00 m on its eastern side. As only the starting point of the wall was uncovered, just on a small portion, we cannot say whether this room had a rectangular or semi-circular shape. The second variant, however, is more plausible, if we were to consider that a similar building was discovered in the close proximity [28].
           Regarding the partitioning of the interior space, the main room was, undoubtedly, the nave, while the apse on the western side, with an opening of approx. 4.00 m, was probably the cella of the building.
           The linear stone arrangement was meant to demarcate the space inside the nave. The partitioning of the space could be done by placing a banister [29] or a curtain in such a way that it might hide for a moment the image of the god from the believers [30]. As a result, the above-mentioned space, representing two thirds of the room surface (8.60 x 5.20 m), was intended for the progress of the cult. The western space, which was smaller (8.60 x 2.60 m), preceded the cella. This area is probably where the preparations for the cultic celebration took place. The cella, in the form of an apse, concealed the image of the worshipped god [31].
           As we have shown, on the northern side of the building, we uncovered a large, faceted stone block pedestal, aligned to the wall and attached to a platform made of quarry stone [32]. In front of it, we discovered several fragments of a monument. This is the shaped upper part of a large altar (ara). The altars, as well as the pedestal, are made of a tuff grit stone of local origin. While the pedestal was preserved complete, although in a fragmentary state, only a small portion from the upper part of the altar could be retrieved. The pedestal dimensions are 1.10 x 0.65 x 0.32 m, while the altar fragments measure 0.50 x 0.20 x 0.27 m. A volute (pulvini) was preserved at the front side of the altar crowning, and the monument profiling and the trace of a border were preserved on the sides. Above, we can see the 0.05 m deep carving, destined for the placement of the offerings (focus).
           Those who erected the edifice may have placed such a monument there, and the text may have specified the deity or deities to whom it was dedicated. Its location on the northern side of the building must be related to the access road that passed through the area, for the passers-by to honor the god to whom it was dedicated [33].
           From an area very close to the monument, we also recovered a silver coin, very well preserved. It is a denarius minted in Rome between 134 and 138 A.D., under the reign of Emperor Hadrian (Fig. 14/1-2) [34]. We cannot specify whether the coin was lost or it represents an offering for the divinity. Although it was discovered outside the building, it is certainly connected to the edifice.
           Besides the above-mentioned items, during the investigations we collected from inside and outside the building few atypical Roman ceramic fragments, various metallic construction elements (nails, spikes), as well as a spherical, pierced bead (Fig. 14/3).
           The poor archaeological material that we recovered confirms, in our opinion, the fact that we are not dealing with a building meant to be inhabited, as no household items or domestic debris could be discovered.
           Therefore, considering what we have set forth, we can draw the conclusion that the L3 building used to be a cult edifice. Unfortunately, we do not have any kind of epigraphic, iconographic or archaeological data regarding the identity of the divinity or divinities to whom it was dedicated. We cannot even tell if the building was a temple or another kind of edifice with a cultic destination (aedes, fanum) [35]. Regarding the dating of the investigated complex, there are no certain elements to allow an exact determination. Therefore, we propose a wider dating of the building, i.e. to the 2^nd-3^rd centuries A.D. However, taking into account the discovery of the coin from Hadrian's time, with a low degree of erosion which indicates a rather short-term circulation, our opinion is that the edifice was already functioning in the 2^nd century A.D., maybe even the first half.
           Approximately 13-14 m away from the northern wall of the edifice, we found the course of a Roman road coming from the "Găuri-Hop" area. It is approx. 2 m wide and was uncovered over a distance of approx. 4 m long. It is made out of small and medium-sized stones, very well placed (Fig. 15/1). In the investigated area, the road is interrupted and this can be explained by the fact that either the road was only paved on certain portions, as V. Wollmann considered [36], or it was damaged during further interventions. Stratigraphically, the arrangement goes down to a depth of approx. 0.15-0.20 m, to the limit between the culture layer and the sterile soil. As archaeological inventory have been discovered only few metallic fragments.
           Therefore, we consider that this road passed through the sacred area. We believe that the monument located on the northern side of the L3 building and facing the road is also related to it.
           With respect to the access ways, we do not exclude the possibility that a crossroad could exist in the area northeast of the L3 building. The uncovered portion would therefore represent a branch, while another road, or at least an alley, would pass east of the edifice insuring access inside the building. However, this area has not undergone archaeological investigations.
           Another edifice (L4), this time of smaller dimensions, was uncovered outhS of L3, approx. 15.00 m away from it. The northern walls were better preserved than the southern side, where the stones removed from the foundation, allowing us, however, to observe the course of the walls. They are approx. 0.40-0.50 m wide. The building has a rectangular shape, with the sides measuring 8.00 x 4.00 m. A small quantity of ceramic material was recovered from within the building, together with several iron objects. In the northern corner of the building was found a platform made of stones (Fig. 15/2).
           In this area we also recovered the fragments of two altars, found in secondary position, in the so-called "Maueri" (stone structures used for delimiting properties). We mention that this is also the source of a votive altar, discovered almost at the surface, during the excavations made by V. Wollmann [37]. It is surprising that, further the old investigations, no archaeological complex was reported in this area.
           Taking into account that the building is in poor state of conservation and the small quantity of archaeological material retrieved, we cannot make suppositions as to its destination.
           Several other surfaces opened in this area did not yield any significant discoveries. The archaeological inventory consists of Roman ceramic, fragments of metal objects, as well as a medieval spur with small wheel (Fig. 16/1). Another medieval spur had had been discovered in section S3 (Fig. 3/1).
           In conclusion, on the Hăbad plateau, investigated by the two teams, there were several buildings whose functions remains still uncertain. Due to the construction method, as well as to the massive destruction of the area, the plans of the uncovered edifices and their construction phases could not be established in their entirety. They have certainly been rebuilt in time. From the analysis of the archaeological material, distributed over the entire period between the 2^nd-3^rd cent. A.D. (the coin from Hadrian's period, the heavily shaped fibula from the first half of the 2^nd century, the fibula from the 3^rd century, as well as complete and fragmentary altars), can be suggested that the edifices were more or less functional during the entire period of Roman domination. Based on the altars inscriptions, we can assume that the center of that kastellum Ansis was located here. This could have also comprised, besides sacred complexes (temples, sacred groves and water sources, the premises of professional or religious colleges), the homes of some Dalmatian miners. This might also be the location of that beneficiary statio indirectly attested by the presence of altars dedicated to the supreme god by three consular beneficiaries; further arguments to this hypothesis are provided by the weapons discovered in the area.