FINAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT
Objectives foreseen and achieved between September 2020 and August 2022 in the implementation of the PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0703 project.
Objective 1. Carrying out large-scale field research in the entire area in order to locate, in the GPS and Stereo70 coordinate system, the fortresses already known in the specialized literature, but also to identify new points of interest. The aim will be to obtain detailed plans for each individual objective, with careful observations, recorded with the help of standardized sheets.
The specialized bibliography related to the issue of fortresses from the 5th-3rd centuries BC located in the eastern Carpathian area of Romania was collected in its entirety. The relevant cartographic material (topographic maps, LiDAR scans, orthophoto plans, etc.) was also collected, obtaining the necessary work tools at the same time. Extensive field research was carried out on the territories of Iasi, Botoșani, Suceava, Neamț, Bacău, Vaslui, Galați and Vrancea counties. Throughout these researches, I have benefited from the support of the research teams from the following institutions: the Moldova National Museum Complex in Iasi, the Botoșani County Museum, the Bucovina Museum Complex in Suceava, the Vrancei Museum in Focșani, the Vasile Pârvan County Museum in Bârlad.
A total of 39 fortresses were verified on field, out of which 37 proved to belong with certainty to the period of interest: 1. Ibănești – Măgura Ibăneștilor (Botoşani county); 2. Şendriceni – Dealul Țiclău (Botoșani county); 3. Văculești – Dealul Podiș (Botoșani county); 4. Bucecea / Cervicești – Pădurea Găvanului (Botoșani county); 5. Stâncești – Cetate / Bobeica (Botoșani county); 6. Victoria – Șanțul Caterinei (Botoșani county); 7. Cotu-Copălău – Cetate (Botoșani county); 8. Todirești – Dealul Şanțurilor (Iasi county); 9. Scobinti – Basaraba (Iași county); 10. Scobinti – Dealul lui Vodă (Iasi county); 11. Buhalnița – Cetate (Iasi county); 12. Cotnari – Cătălina (Iasi county); 13. Scobinti – Grădiștea (Iasi county); 14. Crivești – Cetate (Iasi county); 15. Oțeleni / Bîra – Cetate (Iasi / Neamț county); 16. Dagâța – Dealul Şanțurilor (Iasi county); 17. Poiana Mănăstirii – Între Şanturi (Iasi county); 18. Poiana cu Cetate – Cetate (Iasi county); 19. Dobrovăț – Cetățuia (Iasi county); 20. Bazga – Cetătuia (Iasi county); 21. Moșna – Cetate (Iasi county); 22. Bunești – Dealul Bobului (Vaslui county); 23. Arsura – Cetățuia Mogoșești (Vaslui county); 24. Dumești / Rafaila – Zarea Rafailei (Vaslui county); 25. Stănișești / Răchitoasa – Cetătuia (Bacău county); 26. Cetătuia – Cetătuia Strâmba (Vaslui county ) ; 27. Crețești – Cetătuia (Vaslui county); 28. Albești – Cetătuia (Vaslui county); 29. Fedești – Cetătuia (Vaslui county); 30. Bârlălești – Cetățuia Foișor (Vaslui county); 31. Murgeni – Cetățuia Ciomaga (Vaslui county); 32. Mălușteni – Cetătuia (Vaslui county); 33. Vinderei – Cetătuia (Vaslui county); 34. Brăhășești – Cetățuia (Galați county); 35. Merești – Cetătuia (Suceava county); 36. Dochia – Cetătuia Sărătica (Neamț county); 37. Cândesti – Coasta Nacului (Vrancea county).
Out of the 37 hillforts, five represent objectives that were hardly known in the specialized literature, mentioned sporadically only in a few works of a non-scientific nature. At the same time, we emphasize the fact that until the start of our research, with the exception of seven points (Stâncești, Cotu-Copălău, Cotnari, Moșna, Merești, Dochia, Cândêști), none of them benefited from usable maps or general sketches. So, in addition to the updates offered to the older plans, our project brings as a novelty element 30 new hillfort plans in relation to the data known in the specialized literature. Under these conditions, we appreciate that the results of our research bring an important degree of novelty to the archaeological research of these monuments.
At the end of this project, all the hillforts benefit from location maps with coordinates in gps and STEREO 70 format, made and completed with the help of LiDAR scans. Aerial photos from the drone were taken for some of the objectives.
The descriptions of all the objectives in the resulting repertoire were made on the basis of a standardized sheet, which took into account the following fields: A. Toponym; B. Research history; C.1. Geographical positioning; C.1.a. Current state of the land; C.1.b. Conservation status of the objective; C.2. Hydrographic landmark (distance to the nearest water source); C.3. Geographical coordinates; C.4. Absolute altitude; C.5. Relative altitude; D.1. Type of fortress; D.2. Dating; D.2.a. Traces of habitation from other periods; D.3. Fortification type; D.4. Total area (hectares); D.5. Description of the archaeological situation; D.6. Remarks; E. Bibliography. Topographic maps, satellite images, low-altitude aerial photos, in addition to the standardized interpretation map, are added to these fields for each individual objective.
We emphasize that in 2021 we started two archaeological sites of our own, one in Dobrovăț Citadel (Iasi County) and one in Albești Citadel (Vaslui County). At Dobrovăț, we managed to discover, inside the fortification, the traces of a house set on fire from the surface; moreover, I also surprised the defensive system, which consisted of a mound of earth with a wooden palisade and a defensive ditch. In Albești, I found the traces of a large surface dwelling. We appreciate that these data complement those obtained on the basis of field research and bring additional elements of novelty.
This objective was 100% successfully achieved.
Objective 2. Reanalysis of the results of older archaeological excavations; the evaluation and scientific valorization of the plans left after these excavations will be pursued, as well as of the archaeological materials accessible in various local institutions and museums.
This stage started, naturally, with the analysis of archaeological materials and the archive of the Institute of Archeology in Iași. Of particular interest to our research was the archive of Adrian and Marilena Florescu, archaeologists who dedicated their career to the research of fortresses from the 5th-3rd centuries BC. Our investigative approach put us in front of several situations. Thus, for the fortress from Cotnari – Cătălina (Iasi county), we were able to recover part of the documentation. On the other hand, regarding the Cândêști hillfort (Vrancea county), I could only find insignificant data. However, we had a surprise, managing to discover in the archives the manuscript (1978) of Adrian Florescu’s work entitled “Cetăți traco-getice în Moldova anterioare epocii Burebista-Decebal“, considered lost. Given its historiographical value, we have decided to publish this work in a critical edition (see below in point A.2.1.). So, in addition to the updated results obtained within our project, the public also has access to a paper presenting the state of research since the late 1970s.
In addition to the research carried out in the archives of the Institute of Archeology in Iași, I drew and processed materials from the Cotnari hillfort, located in the collections of the Moldova National Museum Complex in Iași (Iași county). I benefited from the support of director Ms. Lăcrămioara Stratulat, and Dr. Senica Țurcanu who provided me with valuable information.
In order to document, several trips – documentation internships – were carried out. Thus, between 6.11.2020 – 20.11.2020 I carried out a documentation internship at the Bucovina Museum Complex in Suceava (Suceava county). Here I was able to study the archaeological materials in the collections of the Suceava museum, from the Merești hillfort. I also carried out field research in several points on the territory of the county (Baia, Liteni), but the objectives indicated there turned out to belong to other historical periods.
The need to research the archaeological materials from the excavations carried out by A. Florescu in Stâncești led us to carry out a documentation internship at the Botoșani County Museum (Botoșani county) between 23.10.2020 – 03.11.2020. I researched the archives, the collections and drew some of the archaeological materials of interest. I found that the Botošanean museum has a large amount of interesting, unpublished and unprocessed pieces; only from the Stâncești citadel, in addition to the processed materials, another dozen bags with unmarked and unwashed pieces, some of great heritage value, remained. In order to successfully complete the analysis of the material here, between 11.06.2021 and 29.06.2021 we carried out a second documentation internship in Botoșani.
In order to study the materials discovered in the sites located in the southern area of the Moldavian Plateau, between 02.09.2021 and 23.09.2021 I carried out a documentation internship at the Vasile Pârvan Museum in Bârlad (Vaslui county). We were able to document materials discovered in the fortresses of Fedești, Bârlălești, Mălușteni, Murgeni, Crețești.
Unfortunately, I could not see the collection of the Museum of History in Huși (Vaslui county), this institution being closed for several years and currently lacking specialized staff. In order to educate ourselves about the important materials from the Bunești citadel (Vaslui county), we called on the kindness of specialist colleagues who had access to the pieces many years ago and who helped us selflessly.
All the information obtained as a result of the research of the archives, the bibliography, the documentary stage, were introduced in the monographic volume in the corresponding chapters. The web page of the project was also updated (address: http://www.archaeoforts.com/ ). It also contains information about the project (title, acronym, code, financier, members, contact), a brief presentation of it, specifying the objectives and estimated results.
We consider this goal to be 100% successful.
Objective 3. Based on the information gathered on the ground and from archives and museum collections, at the end of this endeavor a book will result – an exhaustive repertoire of all the fortifications in the Eastern Carpathian space, with discussions on the archaeological situations discovered (types of dwellings, pits, material culture, treasures).
The fulfillment of this objective involved the collection, documentation and systematization of a significant volume of information, obtained as a result of the field research carried out but also of the investigations in the archives (see above in Objectives 1-2). The interpretation of these data obviously also required a consistent bibliographic documentation, which would give weight to the hypotheses and suggestions that we were going to propose.
At the level of the 5th-3rd centuries BC, during the beginning of the second Iron Age, a large number of such fortresses (approx. 130) were built in the space between the Carpathians and the Dniester. It is one of the largest concentrations of fortifications known in Europe at that time. If for the space between the Carpathians and the Prut, until the start of the current project, the information about this type of objectives was quite limited, the situation on the current territory of the Republic of Moldova was much better known, thanks to the school of archeology that appeared around the late professor Ion Niculiță. In this sense, it became clear to us the need to carry out some documentation internships in the Republic of Moldova, in order to be able to understand the cultural and historical phenomena that affected the Eastern Carpathian area in the 5th-3rd centuries BC. in all their complexity.
Thus, between 29.10.2021 – 26.11.2021 I carried out a first documentation internship in Chisinau, at the National History Museum of Moldova. I visited several points of interest on the territory of the Republic of Moldova (microzones Saharna, Horodiste-Țâpova, Orheiul Vechi – Butuceni). On this occasion, we were able to ascertain that although the fortresses of the 5th-3rd century B.C. from both banks of the Prut undoubtedly belong to the same cultural phenomenon, there are still some significant differences. Thus, those on the current territory of the Republic of Moldova present a more complex planimetry, and from the point of view of relief forms, they are generally positioned on the banks of rivers (Nistru, Răut, Botna, etc.); instead, those west of the Prut are mainly located in interfluve areas and generally have a simpler plan. It is interesting to note that if in some fortresses west of the Prut (Stâncești, Bunești) multiple hidden treasures were discovered, such discoveries are, for now, unknown east of the Prut.
The analysis of material culture involved and also involves the analysis of commercial exchanges, of the relations that the builders of the hillforts had with more or less neighboring regions. In order to better understand the issue of the relations that the hillfort builders had with the Scythian world but also with the sedentary populations of the Eastern European forest-steppe, I planned for the last stage of the project several documentary visits to Ukraine, to Chernivtsi, Lvov and Kyiv. The plan was to consult the ex-Soviet (Russian, Ukrainian) bibliography on the topic and establish relevant contacts with colleagues in Ukraine. Unfortunately, as a result of the war that broke out at the end of February, and the increasing deterioration of the political-military situation in Eastern Europe, this was no longer possible. Thus, in order to complete the bibliography with titles inaccessible in Romania and to document ourselves on certain aspects related to the relations between the Scythian and North Thracian worlds, between 30.05.2022 and 07.07.2022 we made a new documentation visit to Chișinău. I continued the collaborative relations with colleagues from Chisinau, from the State University of Moldova, the Institute of Cultural Heritage, the National History Museum of Moldova, also establishing close relations with colleagues from the National Archaeological Agency.
We managed to successfully complete the work, which is currently in print at the Mega Publishing House. The work contains an archaeological repertoire, but also chapters dedicated to various other issues (habitat structures, material culture, treasures, exchanges and relations with other regions, cultural-historical conclusions, etc.). In order to be accessible to specialists from other countries, the work was written entirely in English .
The book contains several chapters, as follows. I. Introductory Aspects (p. 17-36), where the means and methods used to identify and describe hillforts are discussed; however, a series of observations are made regarding the terminology used, as well as the excavation techniques recommended for the investigation of this type of monuments. The geographical setting is not neglected either. The second chapter is entitled History of Archaeological Research (p. 37-53). The main historiographical contributions are discussed, from the 19th century to today, highlighting both the successes and failures of each research stage. Chapter III is called Archaeological Repertoire, and, as expected, is the most consistent in terms of number of pages (pp. 55-176). All objectives are discussed here, based on standardized analytical sheets, with dedicated maps, plans, etc. The fourth chapter is entitled The Hillforts in the East-Carpathian Landscape (p. 177-188). Matters such as the spatial distribution of the objectives, their typology and the relationship with the landforms, the area of visibility and control, but also the problem of the relationship with the tumulus necropolises are discussed. Chapter V, Understanding the Hillforts. Morphology and Defensive Systems (pp. 189-206) aims to deal with several important issues: the shape and size of fortresses, the question of entrances, the question of defensive systems (earthworks and ditches, stone walls, etc.). I have not neglected aspects such as the effort required to build such objectives, as well as the problem of their defense in the face of enemy attacks. Chapter VI is entitled Living in the Enclosures. Structures inside the Hillforts (p. 207-216); the internal organization of the fortresses, the typology of the houses, the pits, the possible cult structures are discussed. Chapter VII, Crafts and Occupations (pp. 217-224) discusses the economic life of those who lived in the cities. Chapter VIII, Exchanges (p. 225-236) discusses the commercial exchanges of the populations that lived in the eastern Carpathian area of Romania almost two and a half millennia ago, insisting on the relations with the Greek world, with the Scythians, the Celts, and so on Chapter IX is entitled Treasures and Hoards in the Hillforts (p. 237-243) discusses famous discoveries such as the treasure from Stâncești or the gold princely diadem discovered in the citadel of Bunești. The paper ends with the conclusions (p. 245-252), in which the main observations made during each chapter are reiterated and an analysis of the ancient written sources that refer to the topic of interest is also attempted.
In light of the above, we consider this objective to be 100% complete.
Presentation of the results obtained and the achieved result indicators
1. Results obtained
Our project resulted in the mapping of 37 hillforts from the 5th-3rd centuries BC, of which 30 had no plan or general outline published until now. All targets currently benefit from precise locations in .gps and Stereo70 format, detailed descriptions, location maps, aerial photos, etc. The resulting repertoire was integrated in a dedicated monograph, made in English (see A.2.1 below). We consider that it represents a big step forward for the archeology of the space east of the Carpathians.
We also proposed a series of innovative discussions regarding the relationship of these fortifications with the landforms, their spatial distribution, etc. They seem to have concentrated especially between the rivers Siret and Dniester, their presence beyond these limits being sporadic. Towards the south, such objectives are no longer attested in the Bărăganului Plain or in Bugeac; towards the north, the limit of the phenomenon is more difficult to specify, but according to all appearances, in Northern Bucovina we do not have attested such objectives for now.
The reasons why these communities decided to settle in this region are, in our opinion, due to several factors: the existence of favorable pedo-climatic conditions, the weakening of Scythian power in the region, the founding of Greek colonies in Pontus – which significantly boosted trade, favoring the coagulation of native communities.
We sought to discuss and understand the issue of defensive systems. For the space analyzed by us, we found that most of the fortresses were defended with an earthen rampart, ditch and palisade. The “timber-box rampart ” system was apparently used only in the case of two objectives, Brăhășești and Arsura. The wall with roughly shaped stone facings (Pfostenschlitzmauer) was used only in the case of the first phase of enclosure A of the Cotnari – Cătălina hillfort.
Regarding the functionality of the citadels, as we were able to ascertain as a result of the analysis of the archaeological materials, some of them undoubtedly represented residential centers. Bunești Citadel seems to have been the residence of a basileus or a local ruler. Similarly, the fortresses at Stâncești and Cotnari, through the prism of their size and impressive defensive systems, seem to represent the work of powerful tribal factions. On the other hand, other fortresses such as Scobinți – Dealul lui Vodă or the one from Ibănești, through the prism of positioning on prominent heights, difficult to access, without water sources, had rather strictly military functions. Citadels like the one from Dobrovăț or Albești played a secondary role, as refuges for local communities living in neighboring civilian settlements. Regarding the chronology of the objectives, although they mostly fall into the 5th-3rd centuries BC, there are also some differences. The Stâncești fortress, for example, had a long life, approx. a century and a half. The citadel from Bunești, in turn, seems to have functioned for several generations. On the other hand, other objectives, such as the Albești fortress, had an ephemeral existence in time.
As for the housing structures inside the fortresses, the situation differs from one objective to another. Thus, in the case of the fortress at Poiana Mănăstirii, the residential density is quite low; things are completely different in the citadel of Bunești, where a large number of homes were reported. The situation in Stâncești also turns out to be interesting. The use of magnetometric scans, even partial ones (Stâncești, Poiana Mănăstirii), shows us that the dwellings are not grouped in a systematic manner. Functional associations (workshop areas, sacred area, etc.) are also missing. Instead, the grouping of homes in “clusters” (e.g. Cotu-Copălău) shows us a type of social aggregation specific to rural areas. These things make us consider that in the case of the objectives analyzed by us, we have no arguments to speak of proto-urbanism, no matter how broadly we define this term. It is also interesting to note the absence – until now – of buildings with a pretentious appearance, “palaces” – as well as cult edifices, with the exception of a single pit with deposits of human skulls discovered in Stâncești.
Regarding the relations of the builders of the fortresses with the neighboring populations, we can state that in the 5th-3rd centuries BC, trade with the Greek fortresses on the Black Sea played an important role. Greek amphorae or fragments of amphorae have been found in almost all archaeologically researched sites. Their typological analysis shows us that in almost all cases we are dealing with amphorae for transporting wine. Relations with the central-European Celtic world are well represented especially in the Bunești citadel; the presence of fibulae, remains of weapon parts, etc. The relationship with the Scythian world turns out to be interesting and complex; and we are not only referring here to discoveries such as the treasure from Stâncești, but also to the significant number of bronze arrowheads – of the Scythian type – discovered in almost all the archaeologically investigated sites. This – as well as the presence of spears, pieces of harness with analogies in the eastern space, indicates to us that the inhabitants of the fortresses almost completely adopted the military arsenal and fighting technique of the dreaded horsemen of the steppe, thus confirming the words of ancient historians such as Thucydides. However, other more specific Scythian elements – akinakai daggers, bronze cauldrons, bells – have so far not been discovered in the cities analyzed by us. It is also interesting to note the issue of the relations with the sedentary populations that lived in the forest-steppe area of today’s Ukraine, a topic almost never addressed in specialized literature from us. We were able to ascertain – especially in the materials from Stâncești – the existence of “West-Podolian” ceramic fragments, indicating the existence of contacts and connections.
Who were the ones who built these fortresses and what was their name? Given the unity of the visible material culture in the entire space from the Stara Planina Mountains (Bulgaria) to the Dniester, it would be simple to identify them with the historical Getae; however, historical sources locate the Getae at the Lower Danube. We proposed, with the title of hypothesis, the identification of the builders of the fortresses with the so-called “Istrians”, mentioned in several ancient sources, who opposed the Scythian expansion in the 4th century BC.
The end of this civilization of East-Carpathian hillforts occurs at the end of the 3rd century BC. The period of the 3rd century BC in general, it is marked by extensive upheavals both in the Balkan and North Pontic areas. The northern Balkan area is ravaged by the Celtic invasion, while in the steppes north of the Black Sea, the so-called “Catastrophe of Scythia” takes place marked by the arrival of a new Iranian people from the east: the Sarmatians. In addition to political and military disruptions, the climatic and economic factors cannot be neglected either. Around 220 BC, the bearers of the Poienești – Lucașeuca culture, identified with the Bastarnae from ancient sources, entered into the eastern Carpathian area. It is the time when all the hillforts analyzed by us are either abandoned or destroyed. In some cases, there are still sporadic traces of Poienești – Lucașeuca materials (Moșna, Arsura, Poiana Mănăstirii), but we can no longer speak of the reuse of fortifications, the newcomers representing a society built on other, distinct ideological landmarks.
We consider that our project has been completed successfully, achieving all the assumed objectives. Overall, we appreciate that through our project we managed to bring up numerous new elements. The works published by us within the project will represent a useful starting point for future researchers, from Romania as well as abroad, who will want to analyze the problem of these fortifications from the 5th-3rd centuries BC.
2. Result indicators
Two books resulted, the one originally planned and assumed, to which is added the monograph of the archaeologist Adrian C. Florescu, considered to be lost and published by us in a critical, annotated edition. The publication of this work, which should have appeared in 1978, presents a special historiographical value, illustrating the state of research since the late 1970s.
During our project, we gave a total of 16 presentations / communications with results obtained, of which five at international sessions and nine at national sessions. I also had two conferences as an invited speaker. Thus, the specialized public from Romania but also from other countries was constantly informed about the results and evolution of our project (see below A.1 ).
11 studies were written, of which eight have already seen the light of day and three are currently being published. We emphasize that most of the studies can be consulted online on the page https://arheo.academia.edu/AlexandruBerzovan , thus becoming available to all those interested (see A.2.2 below).
By making the monograph At the borders of the Great Steppe. Late Iron Age Hillforts Between the Eastern Carpathians and Prut (5 th – 3 rd centuries BC), Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022, ISBN: 978-606-020-494-7, 310 pg., specialized public from country and abroad will have access to the results of our project.
The impact of the results obtained
In addition to the national and international scientific impact – given by the publication of an author’s book (in English), a critical edition, 16 presentations and 11 articles (see below), we estimate that our project will have a favorable impact and on other levels.
Thus, by precisely locating the 37 analyzed objectives, they will be better protected from a legal point of view against poaching. We already emphasize that for Vaslui county, a good part of the objectives reported and published by us (previously unknown or unlocated) have recently been included in the National Archaeological Repertoire, thus benefiting from a change in the legal regime. At the same time, the local communities on whose territory these objectives are located will be able to find formulas to capitalize and integrate some of these cities into tourist circuits or cultural-educational activities.
Below we offer the list of results obtained (communications, studies , books):
A.1. Papers at national and international sessions
Within our project, in the implementation plan, we had foreseen a total number of 9 communications. I gave a total of 16 presentations , of which five at international sessions (Romania, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia) and 9 at national sessions . I also had two communications as an invited speaker at various cultural institutions and foundations, on which occasion I promoted the results of the project to the general public.
1. At the International Scientific Conference Acta Moldaviae Meridionalis (Vaslui – 30.09.2020-1.10.2020) where I presented as the first author the communication Cercetările arheologice din punctele „Dobrovăț – Cetățuia” și „Dobrovăț – La Livadă” (2019-2020).
2 . In National Archaeological Reports Session. Edition 54 (Buzău, 25.11.2020-27.22.2020) – where I presented as the first author the communication Cercetările arheologice din punctul Dobrovăț – La Livadă. Campania 2020.
3. At the National Scientific Conference of the Museum of the Eastern Carpathians, 18th Edition, (Saint George, 9.12.2020 – 11.12.2020) – where I presented as the first author the communication Redescoperirea a două cetăți uitate: Dumești / Rafaila – Zarea Rafailei și Stănișești / Răchitoasa – Cetățuia (sec. 5-3 î.Hr.)
4. At the International Scientific Conference Cultural Heritage: Research, Valorization, Promotion, at the Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova), 27.05.2021 – 28.05.2021, where I presented the following communication, Observații privind zidul de piatră al cetății de la Cotnari – Dealul Cătălina (sec. 5-3 î.Hr.).
5. At the International Conference Economy and Environment in the Tiso-Dniester area in the Iron Age, Saharna (Republic of Moldova), 29.07.2021 – 01.08.2021, where I presented the following communication, Cetățile dintre Carpați și Prut în secolele 5-3 î.Hr.: centre economice
6 . At the International Conference Homo Creatus est per Instrumenta , the Museum of Strumica (Republic of North Macedonia), 03.11.2021 – 07.11.2021 I presented the following communication: Standing guard at the borders of the Great Steppe. Weapons and military accessories found in Late Iron Age forts from the East-Carpathian region of Romania (5th – 3rd centuries BC).
7. At the National Session of Scientific Communications of the “Vasile Pârvan” Museum in Bârlad , from the Vasile Pârvan County Museum in Bârlad, 29.05.2021 – 30.05.2021, I presented the following communication: Contribuții privind topografia unor cetăți din perioada de început a celei de-a Doua Epoci a Fierului situate în sudul Podișului Moldovei (sec. 5‒3 î Hr).
8. At the National Archeology in Pandemic Symposium. The results of recent archaeological research in Romania, 21.10.2021 – 23.10.2021, at the Institute of Archeology in Iași, I presented the following communication: Cercetările arheologice din punctele Dobrovăț – Cetățuie și Dobrovăț – La Livadă (2019-2021). Rezultate preliminare și perspective.
9. At the National Archeology in Pandemic Symposium. The results of recent archaeological research in Romania, 21.10.2021 – 23.10.2021, at the Institute of Archeology in Iași, I presented the following communication: Cercetări arheologice în cetatea din a doua epocă a fierului de la Albești, jud. Vaslui.
10. At the National Session of Archeology Reports, Edition 55 , at the University of Sibiu 29.10.2021 – 31.10.2021, I presented the following communication: Cercetări arheologice în cetățuia de la Dobrovăț.
11. At the National Session of Archeology Reports, Edition 55 , at the University of Sibiu 29.10.2021 – 31.10.2021, I presented the following communication: Cercetări arheologice în cetatea din a doua epocă a fierului de la Albești, jud. Vaslui.
12. At the Conferences of the Dacica Foundation, the Dacica Foundation, Alun , I presented, as an invited speaker, the conference La hotarele Marii Stepe. Cetățile de la începutul celei de-a doua epoci a fierului dintre Carpați și Prut (secolele 5-3 î.Hr.). This can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rZzXglc_XQ&t=1s
13. At the Rotary Club Iași Conferences , 15.11.2021, I presented, as an invited speaker, the conference entitled O “radiografie” arheologică a spațiului est-carpatic. Scanările LIDAR duc la iveală noi imagini despre istoria Moldovei.
14. At the National Session of Scientific Communications of the “Vasile Pârvan” Museum in Bârlad, from the Vasile Pârvan County Museum in Bârlad, 13.05.2022 – 14.05.2022, where I presented as the sole author the communication Pe urmele a două cetăți getice uitate. Scobinți – Basaraba și Scobinți – Dealul lui Vodă (jud. Iași).
15. At the National Session of Scientific Communications of the “Vasile Pârvan” Museum in Bârlad , from the Vasile Pârvan County Museum in Bârlad, 13.05.2022 – 14.05.2022, where I presented as the sole author the communication Cetăți din secolele 5-3 î.Hr. în spațiul est-carpatic românesc. Concluzii la finalul unui proiect.
16 . At the international conference 3rd International Colloquium “Iron Age Sanctuaries and Cult Places”. Inventory, offerings and rituals in the pre-Christian temples and sacred places of continental Europe and Mediterranean area (7 th c. BC – 2 nd c. AD) , held at the Dacica Foundation, Alun, 16.06.2022 – 19.06.2022, where I presented as the sole author the communication Religion and Magic in Early Late Iron Age hillforts from the East-Carpathian Area of Romania .
A.2. Books and studies
A.2.1. Books
As part of the implementation plan and objectives, we undertook a book – an exhaustive repertoire of all the fortifications in the Eastern Carpathian space, with discussions on the archaeological situations discovered (dwelling types, pits, material culture, treasures). We managed to finish the book (in English). Moreover, we published in a critical edition the manuscript of the late researcher Adrian C. Florescu, so that two volumes resulted from our project .
1. A. Berzovan, At the Borders of the Great Steppe. Late Iron Age Hillforts Between the Eastern Carpathians and Prut (5 th – 3 rd centuries BC), Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022, ISBN: 978-606-020-494-7 (in print).
2. A. Berzovan (ed.), Adrian C. Florescu, Cetăți traco-getice pe teritoriul Moldovei anterioare epocii Burebista-Decebal, Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022, ISBN: 978-606-020-435-0.
A.2.2. Studies and articles
Nine articles were foreseen in the implementation plan of our project. 11 have been written, of which 8 have already seen the light of print and three are in the process of being published and will be printed at the end of 2022. We emphasize that most of the studies can be consulted online on the page https://arheo.academia.edu /AlexandruBerzovan making them available to all interested parties.
1 . A. Berzovan, M. Oancă, M. Mamalaucă, Contribuții privind topografia unor cetăți din perioada de început a celei de-a Doua Epoci a Fierului situate în sudul Podișului Moldovei (sec. 5‒3 î Hr), în S. Forțiu (ed.) Arheovest VIII. In Honorem Alexandru Rădulescu, JATEPress Kiado, Szeged, Ungaria, p. 155-207.
2. A. Berzovan, S. Enea, D. Boghian, Unpublished fragments of Greek Amphorae in the collections of Țibana Parish Museum (Iasi County) in A. Zanoci, M. Băț (Ed.) Cross-Cultural Interaction in the Tisza – Dniester Region in the Iron Age, Bons Offices, Chisinau, 2020.
3. A. Berzovan, M. Oancă, M. Mamalaucă, S. Honcu, C. Crăciun, Despre două posibile cetăți hallstattiene timpurii din Podișul Moldovei: Fundul Văii – Cetatea Zmeilor (com. Lipovăț) și Popeni – Valea Bujorani (com. Zorleni) în Acta Musei Tutovensis, XVII, 2021, p. 54-69.
4. A. Berzovan, A. Kovacs, Two Late Iron Age Hillforts in the Northern Moldavian Plateau: Văculești-Dealul Podiș and Șendriceni-Dealul Țiclău / Cetate (Botoșani County, Romania), in S. Forțiu, D. Micle (Ed.), In Honorem Valeriu Sîrbu, ArcheoVest IX , Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, ISBN: 978-606-020-407-7, p. 323-334.
5 . A. Berzovan, Un istoric al cercetării cetăților de la începutul celei de-a Doua Epoci a Fierului din spațiul est-carpatic românesc în S. Forțiu, D. Micle (Ed.), In Honorem Valeriu Sîrbu, ArheoVest IX, Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, ISBN: 978-606-020-407-7, p. 671-740.
6 . B. Niculića, C. Aparaschivei, A. Berzovan, Some remarks on the fortification of Merești – Cetătăuie (Vulturești Commune, Suceava County) in V. Diaconu (Ed.), Fortifications and Defensive Systems East from the Carpathians , Ed. Istros – Ed. Constantin Mătasă, Brăila – Piatra Neamț, ISBN: 978-606-654-453-5, p. 139-162.
7. A. Berzovan, În loc de introducere. Adrian Constantin Florescu și marile cetăți de pământ ale Epocii Fierului din spațiul est-carpatic, în A. Berzovan (ed.), Adrian Constantin Florescu – Cetăți traco-getice pe teritoriul Moldovei anterioare epocii Burebista – Decebal, Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022, ISBN: 978-606-020-435-0, p. 13-28.
8. A. Berzovan, Epilog. Cetatea Cotnari – Cătălina în lumina noilor cercetări, în A. Berzovan (ed.), Adrian Constantin Florescu – Cetăți traco-getice pe teritoriul Moldovei anterioare epocii Burebista – Decebal, Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022, ISBN: 978-606-020-435-0, p. 135-142.
9. A. Berzovan, M. Oancă, M. Mamalaucă, Albești – Cetățuia (jud. Vaslui). Cercetările arheologice din anul 2021 în D. Aparaschivei, G. Bilavschi, L. Pârnău (eds), Arheologie în pandemie. Provocări în arheologia românească în anii 2020-2021, Ed. Mega, Cluj-Napoca, 2022 (accepted, in print).
10. A. Berzovan, Religion and magic in early Late Iron Age hillforts from the East – Carpathian area of Romania , in V. Sîrbu, A. Pețan (eds), 3rd International Colloquium” Iron Age Sanctuaries and Cult Places”. Inventory, Offerings and Rituals in the pre-Christian temples and Sacred Places of Continental Europe and Mediterranean area , Ed. Dacica, Alun, 2022 (accepted, in print ).
11. A. Berzovan, Early Late Iron Age hillforts in the East Carpathian Regions of Romania. Trade and connectivity with neighboring areas , in A. Berzovan, D. Aparaschivei (eds), Studia Archaeologica et Linguistica. Miscellanea in honorem annos LXXV peragentis Professoris Adriani Poruciuc oblata (accepted, in print).
We specify that in all the reported publications the name of the financier and the number of the financing contract are mentioned according to the model: This work was supported by a grant of Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.1-PD2019-0703 whithin PNCDI III.
Project manager,
Dr. Alexandru Berzovan