The Magura Uroiului Project
Magura Uroiului, Romania

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Previous Research at Uroi Hill

Durring the year of 2000, Prof. W.S. Hanson and I.A. Olteanu took aerial photographs of Uroi Hill. This was as part of a bigger project whose aim was to make aerial perspectives of ancient sites in Transylvania.

Short review of systematical researches

2001
- A preventive excavation was done on the eastern part of Terrace 1, located at the base of the Magura Uroiului;
- The plateau was sectioned on its eastern and south-eastern parts;
- The plateau was investigated at a few points;
- The results of these investigations showed the existence of a dwelling dated at the beginning of the First Iron Age.

2003
- In this year the systematic research excavations started.
- Part of a bronze cache was recovered from the Terrace 2;
- Following a systematic investigation done in this area, a dwelling belonging to the Cotofeni culture (the Late Eneolithic Age)  was discovered;
- On Terrace 1, two mains Mg1 and Mg2 were traced. They were orientated North-South and East-West and measured 111x3 m and 100x3 m;
- The aim was to research the possible fortification and the plateau behind it.
- Two dwellings belonging to the First Iron Age were found.

2004
- Another excavation at the Terrace 1 base was done;
- A dwelling dated to the Second Iron Age was found;
- Magnetic prospections were conducted on Terrace 1.

2005
- During this year the systematic research focused on two sectors.
- On the First terrace the main objective was to check the validity of the magnetic prospections made during the 2004 archaeological campaign. Within Pit C3's surface sporadic vestiges of prehistorical habitation became visible. In trench S5 two features were found. The archaeological material indicated the features they belonged to the First Iron Age. The Terrace 3 is located at the base of Terrace 1. During the campaign of 2005, Trench S4 and Pit C1 were excavated on Terrace 3.
- Within the archeological surface of Trench S4, more features belonging to the First Iron Age (including human skulls) and the Second Iron Age (Dacian culture) were found.
- Inside Pit C1 a feature with Dacian materials was found.
- Anthropological analyses were conducted on the human skulls and bones found in Trench S4. The analyses showed that they belonged to First Iron Age. The anthropological report was done by Andrei Soficaru, in Bucharest.

2006
- This year the research area was extended to the hill fortification and resistivity surveying began.
- Excavation of the necropolis uncovered in 2005 was continued. When the team reached the layer with the skeletons a physical anthropologist was present to investigate the skeletons in situ.
- Excavations of the hill fortification system began. The fortifications cover a large part of the rear (sloping) side of Uroi Hill. A 25m trench was surveyed and placed running perpendicular to suspected fortifications (ramparts and ditches). Several rock and earth walls were uncovered.
- On the terraces, resistivity surveys were begun. The team conducted several types of surveys. Single depth profile lines of 1m separation were done to quickly check for near surface features. 25m multidepth profile lines were done to investigate suspected fortifications along plateau perifieries. The data from these was interpreted with 2D inversion software to reconstruct a profile view of the survey lines. A grid was surveyed on one plateau to help clarify the presence or either a subsurface structure or near surface bedrock. The results confirm that it is a large area of bedrock near the surface. Several resistivity surveys were subsequently investigated by a 1m wide trench to verify the results or clarify uncertain features. The resistivity surveys confirm the existance of fortifications running along most of the outer edges of Terraces 1 and 3, as well as the continuation of the stone platform on Terrace 3. Surveys also indicated a likely road on Terrace 3 leading up to Terrace 1, with a possible gate at the entrance to Terrace 1.

2007
- Research on the Terrace 2 Cotofeni settlement from 2003 was continued. Several more pit house type structures where discovered. These analysis of these houses and their contents revealed more about the daily living practices of this Bronze age culture.
- Research was also continued on Terrace 1, where an excavation trench was opened. Here was found another Iron Age building with many ceramic sherds in it.
- The ancient road discovered during last season's resistivity surveys was partially excavated this year. Excavations first of all confirmed the road's existance. As well, it was observed that the road was paved with rocks with flats side facing upwards, gutters at the edges and a raised area between the lanes near the entrance to Terrace 1.
- Resistivity surveys were also used to investigate the Roman vila of La Vie, the subsurface connection of several large surface rocks (which turned out to be more bed rocks at the surface as in 2006), and a small tumulus (surveyed in profile).
- This season, research was begun on Terrace 4, located between Terrace 1 and the escarpment. Fieldwalk surveys revealed numerous remains of ceramic from the Bronze age through to the second Iron Age (Dacian culture). As well, an iron Dacian knife was found. Excavations here uncovered more Cotofeni buildings and a pit with ceramics sherds and animal bones. Excavation uncovered two hearths.
- Shove test pit surveys were carried out on the Uroi hill plateau. The results of these surveys support the theory that there were also permanent settlements on top of the plateau and not only a military fortification or temporary refuge location. Data from this survey will be used in future field seasons to plan where to excavate.
- Fieldwalking surveys of the terraces uncovered the existance of a kiln. This was discovered near the end of the field season so a detailed investigation was not possible this year.
- This year the research team was joined by several new researchers from outside of Romania. Janet Niessner of George Washington University (USA), conducted and interpreted the results of the shovel test pit surveys on the plateau on the top of the Uroi hill and assisted in the interpretation of osteological remains (bones). Serena Sansone and Gianvincenzo Nicodemo from Naples (Italy) conducted surface surveys and resistivity surveys of the Roman villa of La Vie. Paulo Moço from the University of Minho (Portugal) reported on the Iron Age fortification systems throughout the site. Otis Crandell (from Canada) conducted the resistivity surveys as in 2006 as well as organising the fieldwork training course.
- Replicas of various Iron Age tools and weapons were recreated and tested for efficiency by Marius Barbu (Babes-Bolyai University) as part of an on site experimental archaeology project.