Browsing by Author "Niculiţă, Ion"

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CERCETĂRI NUMISMATICE ÎN SPAŢIUL PRUTO-NISTREAN
(CEP USM, 2011) Niculiţă, Ion
CONSIDERAŢII PRIVIND STUDIUL PEDOLOGIC AL SITURILOR ARHEOLOGICE DIN AREALUL SAHARNA, RAIONUL REZINA
(2018) Sochircă, Vitalie; Zanoci, Aurel; Nagacevschi, Tatiana; Niculiţă, Ion; Băţ, Mihail
În articol sunt evaluate componentele naturale (în special solul) din perimetrul siturilor arheologice Saharna „Ţiglău” şi Saharna Mare / „Dealul Mănăstirii” din localitatea Saharna, raionul Rezina. Cercetarea a avut drept scop reconstituirea condiţiilor naturale în care au activat comunităţile din aceste aşezări în perioada cuprinsă între sfârşitul sec. XII şi sec. III a. Chr.
CONSTRUCŢII DE SUPRAFAŢĂ DIN SITURILE DE LA SAHARNA
(2008) Niculiţă, Ion; Zanoci, Aurel; Arnăut, Tudor
Several Iron Age monuments are known in the village of Saharna, Rezina region. For a few years planned archeo- logical research had been conducted in three of them: Saharna Mică, Saharna Mare and Saharna “La Şanţ”. In the course of research, it was established that Saharna Mare stony cape was first settled in the end of the 12th century B.C. In the 11th century B.C. an unfortified settlement existed here. By the end of this century or at the end of the next century, it was abandoned and the population moved to another area. As evidenced by the archaeological materials Saharna Mică cape was resettled by the 7 th century B.C. The most intensive economic development the settlement reached in the 6 th -5 th centuries B.C., and military development by the 4 th -3d centuries B.C. when it was fortified by a complicated system of fortified structures. On the ground of research conducted on the territory of the Saharna Mare settlement it was established that in the 6th -5 th centuries B.C. it occupied a considerable part of the cape and reached its peak of development in the 4 th -3d centuries B.C. According to the archeological materials, the fortified settlement of Saharna “La Şanţ” was established in the 7 th -6th centuries B.C., and later in the 5 th -4th centuries B.C. it was already fortified by a wooden-earthen structure. Follow-up studies will allow us to more accurately determine the time when the settlements were settled and then abandoned.
FORTIFI CATIONS AND OPEN SETTLEMENTS OF THE 1ST MILLENNIUM BC IN THE MICRO-ZONE OF HORODISTE-TIPOVA
(2014) Zanoci, Aurel; Niculiţă, Ion; Băţ, Mihail
În partea de sud a regiunii Nistrului Mijlociu, în preajma localităţilor Horodişte şi Ţipova, raionul Rezina, se conturează un spaţiu cu suprafaţa de cca 6 km 2 , unde au fost evidenţiate mai multe situri arheologice, atribuite epocii fierului. Ca urmare a studierii ortofotoplanurilor, a cercetărilor perieghetice şi sondajelor arheologice în această microzonă a fost atestată o „aglomeraţie” de situri, compusă din şapte fortificaţii şi patru aşezări civile (fig. 2), atribuite două orizonturi culturale – hallstattian timpuriu şi traco-getic. Orizontul hallstattian timpuriu, de tip Cozia-Saharna, este reprezentat de o fortificaţie (citadela de la Horodişte „La Şanţ”) şi două aşezări deschise (Horodişte „Groapa Turcului” şi Ţipova II). Cel traco-getic este documentat prin şapte fortificaţii (Horodişte „La Cot”, Horodişte „La Şanţ”, Buciuşca II, Ţipova III etc.) şi două aşezări deschise (Buciuşca IV şi Buciuşca V). Dintre fortificaţiile traco-getice se evidenţiază cea de la Horodişte „La Cot”, care se deosebeşte de restul prin suprafaţa considerabilă (cca 28 ha), complexitatea sistemului defensiv, precum şi prin poziţia strategică pe care o ocupă în microzona Horodişte-Ţipova. Plecând de la aceste observaţii, la nivelul actual de cercetare, se poate presupune că cetatea Horodişte „La Cot” a îndeplinit funcţiile unui „centru” economic, administrativ etc. pentru comunităţile din regiune.
INVESTIGAŢIILE ARHEOLOGICE LA SITUL SAHARNA MARE (2009-2011) (I)
(2012) Niculiţă, Ion; Zanoci, Aurel; Băţ, Mihail; Matveev, Sergiu
The Saharna Mare site (Rezina district) stands out among the monuments of the Middle Dniester area by its location and the degree of scrutiny. It is situated on a high rocky trapezoidal cape with an area of about 12 hectares, surrounded on three sides by deep canyons with inaccessible shores. Only from the south the cape is connected to the outside world. Due to its strategic location, this area was inhabited as early as the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. This monument drew the attention in the late 40s of the last century when there were conducted the first archaeological excavations (Smirnov, 1949, 93-96; Smirnov, 1949a, 189-202; Arnăut 2000, 93-104). Since 2001, an archaeological expedition of the Moldova State University conducts systematic research on the site. The results of studies conducted in 2001-2007 have been published in several articles and a monograph (Niculiţă, Zanoci, Arnăut 2008a, 69-150). As a result of these investigations there were identified several cultural-chronological horizons: 1 - presented by complexes with incised pottery; 2 - relating to the Cozia-Saharna culture; 3 - Thracian-Getae (7th - 3rd centuries B.C.). This article contains information about finds relating to the Cozia-Saharna culture, which were discovered as a result of the excavations of 2009-2011 carried out by five digs (13, 13A, 14, 15, 18) with the total area of 444 m2. Through the matching of orthophotomaps (fi g. 4/1), the results of geomagnetic studies (fi g. 3, 4/2), and archaeological research data (fi g. 9/1) in the southeast of the cape there were found the remains of a “citadel” and the adjacent “fortifi ed yard”. The “citadel” of a rounded shape (fig. 4/3), size 60×64 m (about 0,32 ha), was located on the southeastern outskirts of the cape; it was reinforced on all sides by a moat and a wooden stone-earthen wall. The width of the moat varies from 4,2 to 6,0 m, depth – 0,7 to 1,6 m. The wall was built of two rows of wooden pillars dug vertically into the mainland loam. The space between rows was fi lled with stones and earth, thus forming a fortification of about 1,0-1,2 m in width. The “citadel” had an adjacent semi-oval “yard” in the north-west side, with the dimensions of 55×78 m, which was also fortified by a moat (fig. 4/3). The width of the moat was 2-3 m, the depth – 1,0-1,4 m. In the “citadel” there were investigated one ground construction (fi g. 21), 37 household pits (fi g. 23-32), and one religious construction? (fi g. 33). There was also identifi ed a sufficiently rich and varied inventory (fig. 36-45) that allowed to attribute the “citadel” and the adjacent “yard” to the Cozia-Saharna culture. Most likely, these fortifications were designed to shelter residents of the Saharna “Dealul Mănăstirii” settlement, which was in close proximity. In addition, the “citadel” could serve as a socio-political and religious center for the Early Hallstatt population of the Saharna region (fi g. 46).
INVESTIGAŢIILE ARHEOLOGICE LA SITUL SAHARNA MARE (2009-2012) (II)
(2013) Niculiţă, Ion; Zanoci, Aurel; Băţ, Mihail; Matveev, Sergiu
This article presents information on the findings relating to the Thraco-Getian period, which have been identified as a result of archaeological excavations in 2009-2012 on the site of Saharna Mare. In examining orthophotomaps and the results and geomagnetic prospecting there was discovered a new defensive line traced over 650 m to the north, east and south sides of the cape. Its ends are connected to the “wall” on the west side, thus forming an integral defensive system surrounding the fortress on all sides and having an area of approximately 6 hectares. This recently discovered defensive line represents a “rampart” barely visible on the current surface of the soil, having at the base a width of 3 m and a height of about 0.3-0.4 m. Toward the east this “rampart” meanders, forming eight bastions grouped in four on the northern and southern flanks. As a result of archaeological investigation it was found that the identified “rampart” is the remains of a defensive wall built of two rows of wooden poles dug vertically into the mainland. The space between rows was filled with stones and earth, thus forming a fortifcation of about 1.1-1.6 m width. In the settlement there were also examined two above-ground structures, 36 household pits and fairly rich and varied inventory attributable to the 8th/7th - 3rd centuries BC. Judging by its strategic location, powerful defensive structures, and by the findings found in the area of the site, it can be assumed that the fortified settlement of Saharna Mare was an important economic, political, administrative and military center of the Middle Dniester region.
INVESTIGAŢIILE ARHEOLOGICE LA SITUL SAHARNA MARE / „DEALUL MĂNĂSTIRII”, RAIONUL REZINA (2017-2019)*
(2019) Niculiţă, Ion; Zanoci, Aurel; Băţ, Mihail; Dulgher, Victor
The archaeological research conducted in 2017-2019 was concentrated in the southwest part of the site, where as a result of the geomagnetic measurements a positive anomaly was attested that denotes the presence of burned structures. Following the archaeological excavations (256 m2) in this part of the settlement, three layers of living were identified: Holercani-Hansca, Cozia-Saharna and Thracian-Getae. It was discovered a pit (7/2018) belonging to the Holercani-Hansca horizon whose filling contained ceramics characteristic of this culture. For the Cozia-Saharna layer was found a structure (4/2017-2019), 12 pits, a burial, and various archaeological inventory represented by work tools, weapons and ceramics ornamented with incised and stamped ornaments. In the Thracian-Getae layer were uncovered three structures, 13 pits and a rich archaeological findings. Among the inventory items are tools and utensils made of different raw materials – iron, bronze, bone and horn, stone and burnt clay. From this layer come several weapons, in particular, tips of bronze arrows, as well as pieces of jewelry, represented by fibuale, bracelets, rings etc. Also, from the Thracian-Getae layer was recovered a significant amount of local ceramics and Greek imports
PROBLEME DE CRONOLOGIE ŞI PERIODIZARE A CULTURII COZIA-SAHARNA
(Garomont, 2014) Niculiţă, Ion
REZULTATELE INVESTIGAŢIILOR ARHEOLOGICE LA AŞEZAREA CIVILĂ SAHARNA „DEALUL MĂNĂSTIRII” (CAMPANIA 2008)
(2009) Niculiţă, Ion; Nicic, Andrei; Corobcean, Andrei
In this study are presented the results of the archaeological investigations at the early Hallstattian settlement Saharna „Dealul Mănăstitii”. The research at this site in 2008 were done at 2 sections: no. 4-5. The aim of these investigations was to study the ditch situated south of the defensive system of Saharna Mare fortress and which was found already in the past years. The result was the discovery of two hearths – complex 19-20, two dwellings – complexes 21, 26. The pits 16-19 and the ditch on a surface of 10 m were investigated. The material found in the closed complexes and the ditch have a cultural-chronologic attribution to Cozia-Saharna culture. The ditch explored on a length of 10 m and depth varying from 0,5 to 1,2 m was in fact an extension of the previously investigated ditch. The result provided the possibility to establish that both its triangular form and the wide rim and narrow bottom represents nothing less than the traces of a wood chassis of a palisade. It is likely that the central and northern part of Saharna Mare promontory was initially strengthened with a palisade which included also the north-eastern part of „Dealul Mănăstirii” settlement. G.D. Smirnov, who had discovered for the first time this ditch, assumed that it was a supplementary defense ditch situated on a parallel line with the fortress wall and ditch. In order to confirm whether the ditch was contemporary with the fortress’ fortification line, in the southern part of the fortress’ central bastion was traced the section no. 5. Although some material was discovered, the investigations of the cultural layer from the area have shown a complete lack of possible ruins of a known settlement. It means that the central bastion was built up after the abandonment of the first defense line of the site from Saharna Mare.
SISTEMUL DEFENSIV AL CETĂŢII DIN EPOCA FIERULUI – SAHARNA MARE
(2007) Niculiţă, Ion; Zanoci, Aurel; Arnăut, Tudor
Today over 82 Iron Age monuments are known in the area of the Middle Dniester, Central Moldavian Hills. The most impressive monuments are situated on high promontories and heights close to Saharna village, Republic of Moldova. These sites of ancient settlements and villages are known since the end of the 40s of the 20 th c., when G. D. Smirnov carried out the first reconnaissance excavations. Saharna Mare settlement stands out among these monuments. Since 2001 systematic archeological research has been carried out on the site. Saharna Mare is situat- ed on a high stony triangular promontory surrounded from all sides by deep inaccessible ravines. The promontory is accessible only from the South. Archeological research proves that the site was populated as early as the Early Iron Age when a Hallstatt settlement of Saharna-Solonceni type was founded there. Consequently the promontory was fortified in the south by a complex system of defence. It contained a wall which went from south-east to north- west, with a ditch and three semicircular ramparts in the centre and flanks. A comprehensive study of Saharna Mare fortifications offers certain corrections to our understanding of the con- struction methods at ancient settlements in the 1 st millennium BC. Remains of earth mounds almost always are wrecks of a once erected “wall”. The analysis of the main line of defensive system and two ramparts (the third is demolished) has shown that the fortification was constructed out of a timber wooden drainage placed on the lev- elled surface. In order to save the wooden flooring from moisture the gap was filled by sand. The timber drainage which was the footing of the fortification was pierced by poles located evenly and strengthened by longitudinal and transversal beams on different levels. This wooden carcass was filled by earth, stones, sand and clay. To ensure the preservation of the fortification the framework was filled by building material layer by layer. The outer sides of walls of the majority of settlements which were constructed following these methods have a 2-2,7 m wide berm. It was used as a base for a construction of clay and crushed stones aimed at protecting the wooden wall from fires, and it was thicker at its bottom and narrowing on its way to the top. Ca. 2 meters away from its southern outer side a ditch was dug, with its width at the mouth varying between 16,5- 18,0 m. Excavations have shown that in antiquity the width of the ditch on the surface was ca. 15,6 m, at the bottom – 6,1 m, the depth was 3,2 m, and its 2,1 m was dug out of the stony base of the promontory. Horseshoe-shaped ramparts which were bordering the ditch were built using the same methodology. The precise time of erection and demolition of the defences is so far difficult to establish with any precision. Following the analysis of the discovered material it is obvious that all of them were intact and functioning in the 4 th –3d c. BC