The "Alburnus Maior" National Research Program

           The name of the location is a reference to two small prominences found in the proximity of some ancient mining galleries in the "Găuri" area (Fig. 33/1) and an artificial lake, "Tăul Găuri", where mapping documents from the second half of the 19^th century, which we have studied, indicated the location of one of the ancient necropolis of the Alburnus Maior site [1].
           The investigations carried out in 2000 confirmed the existence of 4 incineration graves found in slightly concave pits, with burnt walls and items specific to this type of discoveries [2]. Therefore, we were at a point where bibliographic information and preliminary investigations confirmed the existence of a Roman incineration necropolis at Hop (together with others of the type in Alburnus Maior).
           During the 6 months of archaeological campaign carried out in 2001 there were opened 27 excavation units - sections and cassettes - (Fig. 1) of varying dimensions (their codes range from 01 05 01 055 to 01 05 01 081) [3]. In these excavation units were found 169 incineration graves.
           The stratigraphy of the necropolis is almost unitary all over the area investigated in 2001; under the 0.15-0.30 m thick vegetal layer there was identified a brown layer containing pigment in which the graves were found (this is the Roman culture level). The thickness of this layer ranges between 0.30 m and 0.45 m. Under it, the yellowish sterile archaeological level, begins. Many of the incineration grave pits can be found in this layer.