The project "Underground conservation of the ruins from the archaeological site of Micia-Vetel (Castru - Zone 2), Vetel commune, Hunedoara county, LMI code HD-ImA-03214.02" was developed following the proposals of the archaeological research group of the National Museum of History of Transylvania following the preventive archaeological research from 2020. Both the preventive archaeological research and the subsequent conservation and valorization project were necessary on the occasion of the implementation of the objective "Rehabilitation of the railway line Frontiera - Curtici - Simeria, component part of the IV Pan - European Corridor for the movement of trains with a maximum speed of 160 km/h: Section 3: Simeria – Gurasada”.

The conservation and valorization project was coordinated by the National History Museum of Transylvania with the National Institute of Heritage as the general designer. The project received favorable approval in the Zonal Commission of Historical Monuments and in the National Commission of Archeology, to be proposed for approval at the National Commission of Historical Monuments.

The proposed project has two components. An underground conservation component of archaeological ruins and a landscaping and tourism component.

• The primary restoration of the ancient walls is proposed - operations to remove the vegetation present on the lithic surfaces, to consolidate the detached pieces of stone and to consolidate by impregnating some areas of decohesive lithic matter;
  • Earthworks (microtopography) are proposed for the underground conservation of the ancient walls;
  • In order to mark the site and make it easier to visit, the development of some mineral platforms and greening works are proposed.

The historical-scientific substantiation study for the delimitation of the protection zones of the historical monuments necessary for the elaboration of the PUZCP urban planning documentation for the objectives "Entrance to Trajan's Forum" and "Building with museum spaces and annexes, access to the archaeological site" within the archaeological site Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa it was developed by a team coordinated by the National History Museum of Transylvania. This substantiation study had several components aimed at both theoretical research and field research. Thus, the study was composed of historical-archaeological study, historical substantiation study, landscape study and protection zone delimitation study. Following these studies, recommendations were proposed regarding the protection of historical monuments and the archaeological site, the protection zones being topographically delimited. The proposed areas of the site and its protection zone – together – will form the territory of the Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa Protected Area. After approval of the delimitations, by the Ministry of Culture (National Commission of Archeology, National Commission of Historical Monuments), together with the analytical sheets for the inventory of archaeological sites (FAI-S annex of the Historical-Archaeological Study) they will be transposed into the national record system, ensuring -the correlation with the positions in the National Archaeological Repertory, the positions in the List of Historical Monuments as well as with the perimeters proposed for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

Following the intrusive archaeological diagnosis carried out in 2021 by the National History Museum of Transylvania (MNIT), in the phase of the feasibility study for the Tureni Expressway DN1-A3, two archaeological sites were identified with an area of ​​0.8 ha and 2.8 ha, respectively.

Preventive archaeological research began in September 2023 after the issuance of the order to start the works, by MNIT archaeologists. Within the first archaeological site, several archaeological complexes (supply pits and deposition pits) were identified, chronologically based on the discovered ceramic fragments, in the III-II centuries BC. Chr. (Civilization of the Second Iron Age – La Téné). An approximately 30 cm spearhead was identified in a deposition pit. A culture layer with ceramic fragments belonging to the Neolithic period (Iclod culture) was also identified in this site. The research here has been completed, and the preventive archaeological research report with the proposal to discharge the historical burden has already been drawn up. After its approval by the National Archaeological Commission, in its next meeting, the construction works of the expressway will be able to continue in this area as well.

The second identified site is under investigation. From the preliminary data, a large number of archaeological complexes (220 at the present time) of the deep dwelling type, supply pits and household pits were identified and investigated in whole or in part, in which Roman and post-Roman ceramic fragments were identified, fragments animal osteology led to the hypothesis. The large number of Roman vessels indicates, however, that there will have been a Roman rural settlement in the vicinity, a Villa rustica, Considering the proximity to the Roman city and the Roman fort of Turda (Potaissa).

Preventive archaeological research of the perimeter in the "New General" yard/Generaladt Haus is carried out as a result of the intention of the Ministry of Culture - Project Management Unit, to start an investment project in the perimeter The urban site "Cetatea Timișoarai" District. The research was coordinated by a group of three expert archaeologists from the National History Museum of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca and two archaeologists from the National Museum of Banat.

The preventive archaeological research provided some historical and archaeological information about the Timișoara citadel. They were researched approx. 300 archaeological complexes (Living Spaces, Annexes, Stables, Household Pits, Supply Pits). Under the layer of modern housing, a housing layer belonging to the Habsburg period was identified. In the northern part of the surveyed area, more precisely in the middle of the yard, the foundations and part of the elevation of a large brick building with several rooms that served as a stable were identified. In the southern part, several houses made of wood and earth, annexes, utility pits, etc., were investigated at the levels below. which were chronologically included in the period under Ottoman rule.

research period February–April, July–August 2023

Located on the southern side of Cluj's urban fortification, the Nerd Tower (or Turzii Gate) was built together with the defense belt from the first half of the 1593th century, but was mentioned for the first time only in 1453. The structure guarded the southern gate of access to the city, at the end of the street named in XNUMX Zeben wcza intra muros, and later, suggestively, Belső Thordawcza (today University Street).

Too little documented in terms of planimetry and its architectural endowments, the fortified complex around the gate tower was known for a long time especially based on the schematic data shown in historical plans of Cluj or the brief documentary evidence, which places it in the administration of the blesles geeks, tinsmiths and knife makers.

The urban rehabilitation project provided the long-awaited chance for extensive research of its ruins. The excavations revealed the area's rich archaeological heritage, largely confirming archival sources. The main structure identified was the masonry of the tower, developed on a rectangular plan with an open ground floor, through which access to the city was achieved. The enclosure wall from the west is part of the same stage of fortification. On the outside of the tower, towards the south, the barbican and the wall of the zwinger were identified, completed in the first decades of the 1841th century at the latest. Archaeologists thus identified a sequence of constructive phases and subphases starting from the XNUMXth century until the XNUMXth century, when, in XNUMX, the demolition of the old gate tower was completed.

July-August 2023

Archaeological site Covasna – Citadel of the Fairies is located on the outskirts of Covasna, on Cetăţii Hill. The most numerous discoveries from the site belong to the Dacian Kingdom era, but materials dated to the Bronze Age or the Middle Ages were also discovered. Archaeological research was concentrated in the last campaigns in the area of ​​the bastion and the wall on Terrace II. Here, two edifices (I and II) oriented roughly NE were discovered, which had a roof supported by wooden pillars. Until the year 2023, neither of these two edifices was fully outlined, so their functionality could not be established with precision.

The 2023 campaign (July-August) sought to identify the northern and western limits of Building II, which had not been previously identified. The research is not complete, but from the information obtained so far, Building II appears to have had four rows of supporting pillars, 10 per row, except for a central row, with 11 pillars. In particular, Dacian ceramic fragments were found, but also objects made of bronze, iron, glass or stone. Also, the amount of animal bones discovered was extraordinary.    

The area subject to the preventive archaeological research is located on the current territory of the commune of Iclod (Nagyiklód / Grossikladen), Cluj county, on the border of the inner villages of the commune of Iclod and the village of Livada (Dengeleg), along the DN1C/E576, which passes to the southeast of this. The surface investigated by us is partly in the protection zone of the Iclod site - Vladicii Land and partly outside it, towards the northeast. It was mechanically stripped and the entire surface of approx. 0,5 ha. As a result of the preventive research, 71 archaeological complexes were discovered: pits (46), graves (14) and ditches (11) dating from the Neolithic, the second Iron Age and the modern/contemporary period. The discoveries made highlight what the archaeological research in the vicinity has already confirmed: the area was intensively occupied over time, discovering both burial complexes and habitat elements.

Photo: surface after mechanical pickling; Neolithic artifacts. Paul Pupeză (resp. site), Szabolcs Nagy, Malvinka Urák