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1997 Excavations at Tartaruca
Noua (Northern Moldova) Jeannine Davis-Kimball (CSEN) |
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| During the 1997 summer
season the Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads (CSEN) collaborated with the
Rudi-Maetonium Scientific-Research Public Fund (RMSRPF), Chisinau, Moldova, and the
Institute of Archaeology, Moldova Academy of Sciences. Excavations, led by Dr. Jeannine
Davis-Kimball (CSEN) and Dr. Mark Tkachuk (RMSRPF), were conducted during July and August
at two sites along the Dniester River in northern Moldova. Historical Background of the Region The archaeological sites under discussion are approximately 200 kilometers north of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. In the vicinity of the town Rudi, (Dondushan rayon) and some 45 kilometers northwest of Soroka, eight historical monuments have been given national preservation status. Included in this group is the site known as Maetonium and the so-designated Hallstat Cemetery site. Northern Moldova has been occupied by many cultures over millennia. This is particularly true along the agriculturally rich forest-steppe zone adjacent to the Dniester River. Paleolithic sites have been recorded in the limestone caves which underlie the high promontories along the river. Shell middens and Neolithic pottery are found along the river, and the prolific Chalcolithic Cucuteni-Tripolye culture sites (3750-2350 BC) in close proximity are identified by fired red clay foundations. It is interesting that no Bronze Age settlements have been recorded in this region. However, the Early Iron Age remains include those of the Eastern Hallstat, Getae, Bastarnae, Chernogorova (a 3rd-4th centuries AD late Roman culture), Early Slavic, and Medieval Slavic fortresses and monasteries. The cultural remains of highest concentration are those of the Cucuteni-Tripolye. Maetonium 1997 Excavations and Conclusions A Chalcolithic flint blade, a bone spindle whorl, an amulet made from an animal fang drilled for suspension, and a small iron object of unknown use were the principle objects excavated during the 1997 season. Sterile soil has not been reached and currently it would appear that this may be an occupation area based upon fragmented bones, pottery sherds, and a hearth. A few sherds of Bastarnae pottery with faceted rims would seem to indicate that a small contingent of these Celto-Germanic people entered the area and occupied the promontory for a short time. At a slightly later date Roman amphorae containing wine or oil were brought by ship up the Dniester River. These were off-loaded at the base of the promontory and carried up the steep embankment to the habitation site where the contents were consumed by unknown inhabitants. Hallstat - Tatarauca Noua (Novaya Tatarovka) XIV During the 1997 season an area 4 x 16 m, squares 1-8 and Y-Z, was opened and excavated to a depth of about 75 cm below the current ground level. Below the sandy black sod the entire cultural level contained sherds of black burnished pottery, some of which were decorated with incised lines, and embellished triangles, and occasional bone fragments. These are identified as Early Hallstat period ceramics. Hallstat - Tatarauca Noua (Novaya Tatarovka) XIV ConclusionsAlthough originally identified as a Hallstat Cemetery based upon ash, burned clay, pottery sherds, and animal bones found along the exposed embankment above the Dniester River, no Hallstat burials, either inhumation or cremation, were encountered in the excavated area designated squares 1-9 and X-Z nor in Pit 4 excavated along the Dniester embankment some 50 m to the west. One later dated child burial was excavated. No Hallstat foundations were uncovered to indicate that this had been a habitation site. Pit 2 witnessed a cultic ceremony as the large pot held meat which was cooked for a ritual feast. In the remaining squares, from the amount of debris in the form of cracked animal bones and pottery sherds, the area may have been used for a midden or garbage disposal. Upon reaching Neolithic soil in Trench 1, foundations and pottery sherds from a Cucuteni-Tripolye settlement were encountered. |
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Archaeological Research
Facility
2251 College Building
University of California
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Last Modified 9 June 1999.
