Categorie: Marisia_6_2024

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Fragmented Hoard from the Recycle Bin: Szentes-Nagyhegy I

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 17–44.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.02

Abstract:

The paper revisits an old hoard from Szentes-Nagyhegy (Csongrád-Csanád County, Hungary). As one of the ‘workshop hoards’ dated to the Ha B1 period, this assemblage provides a case study to elaborate on different casting defect types and the technological classification of hoarded objects associated with metallurgy. Our results suggest that the hoard consists of different types of unusable or unfinished ingots and as-casts, as well as various finished products without observable use-wear traces, and with micro-wear traces or repair marks that suggest heavy wear. Almost all the finds were deposited in an intentionally fragmented state.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

A Late Bronze Age Spearhead from Gorneşti

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 7–16.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.01

Abstract:

The paper discusses a recently discovered spearhead from the vicinity of Gornești (Mureș County), which came to light in October 2022 during a survey with metal detector. Additional archaeological investigations were carried out, but no other items were recovered. Thus, the isolated discovery was analysed on typo-chronological grounds, and concluded that it can be dated roughly between the Ha A–Ha B1 periods. Its relation to a nearby Bronze Age settlement is presumable, but not provable.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Conflict and Violence in the Middle Ages – Revisionist Perspectives on Historiography in the Last Decade

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 161–169.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.10

Abstract:

All interpersonal interactions are shaped by emotions that influence individual behavior. Frequently, interactions between different communities lead to conflict situations, often involving varying degrees of violence. This dynamic is evident in the case of the Saxons in Transylvania. Hannah Arendt is among those who link conflict and violence, recognizing its instrumental aspect. In the realm of sociology, other scholars engage in a debate centered around two theories: the civilization theory and the theory of the long-term decline of violence. These theories highlight different aspects of ethnic groups interacting in society. Researchers provide diverse perspectives, often without reaching a common consensus. My intervention aims to identify a point of intersection between classic theories on the topic, historical case studies, and specific realities. The focus is on medieval Transylvania, an area rarely studied from this point of view, but characterized by its unique positioning and pluralistic society, which introduces multiple contradictions with the potential for conflict.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

A Late Medieval Battle Knife Discovered in Mureş County

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 149–159.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.09

Abstract:

Our study presents a medieval battle knife discovered near Gruișor, Mureș county (Fig. 1), a type of weapon which was widespread in Central Europe towards the end of the Middle Ages (15th–16th centuries). Earlier studies considered this type of knife as „rare” in Transylvania,* but lately the number of these artifacts which entered museum collections has increased considerably, although most of them were found by metal detectorists. Even if their place of discovery is known, the archaeological context is missing, hence they are usually neglected by researchers. The weapon recently found at Gruișor might be associated with the szekler insurrection from 1562.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

The Use of the Russian Term “Ugor” in Hungarian Archeology

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 137–147.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.08

Abstract:

In Hungarian archeological literature the Russian term ‘Ugor’ can be translated to sign the population of the Ugric language unity – which in Hungarian linguistics is said to be lasted from the 2000 BC until 1000–500 BC –, or it can sign directly the ancestors of the Hungarians. Although if one reads carefully the archeological studies it is clear that in Russian the term „Ugor” is also used to sign the Ugric-speaking populations around the Ural mountain and Western Siberia in the first centuries AD, and also the term ‘Ugor’ can be used equivalently as ‘Ogur’, as in Russian archeology it is a wide spread theory that the European Huns and Oguric (f. e. Ogur, Onogur, Saragur, Kutrigur) people were formed east of the Ural by the unity of the local Ugoric and the settling Xiongnu population. Also the term ‘Ugor’ in Russian is the original designation of the Hungarians and it has a strong relation with the territory name Jugria and the Ob-Ugric people. From the term ‘Ugor’ was partly created the scientific designation of the so called ‘Finno-Ugric’ language-family as well. The original form seems to be ‘Ogur’ as the Byzantine sources testify.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

New Evidence Concerning the Ala Illyricorum from Brâncovenești / Marosvécs

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 125–136.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.07

Abstract:

This paper presents four newly discovered Roman military tile and brick stamps from Brâncovenești / Marosvécs. One belongs to a type already known as belonging to the Ala numeri Illyricorum, the other two represent a new type and can be read as Ala Illyricorum.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Notes on the Historiography of terra sigillata Research in Roman Dacia

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 101–123.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.06

Abstract:

The study of terra sigillata pottery in our region is still in its infancy since so little information from the province of Dacia has been published so far, much of it being incorporated into bigger syntheses along with the analysis of other kinds of Roman pottery. We can observe how the quality of research has improved over the decades (beginning in the first half of the 20th century) and how the quantity of the finds has increased since then. The concept of terra sigillata as a dating tool in archaeology should no longer be the only aspect discussed in the literature. However, in order to achieve a relevant result, the publication’s methodology can be just as significant as its content. This paper employs a methodological perspective to identify distinguishing characteristics, errors and approaches in the historiography of terra sigillata research in Roman Dacia.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Ready to Be Recycled? A Fragment of a Military Diploma from Călugăreni / Mikháza (Dacia Superior)

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 95–99.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.05

Abstract:

The present paper discusses a military diploma fragment discovered in the principia of the auxiliary fort at Călugăreni / Mikháza on the eastern limes of Dacia superior, in the destruction layers related to one of the weapon deposits (armamentarium). The fragment of the diploma dates between 133 and 142 AD. Taking into account the perfect cut, which was obviously intentional, and the late 3rd century AD context, we can conclude that it was prepared for recycling.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Roman Arrows from Călugăreni / Mikháza: A Typological Approach

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 57–94.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.04

Abstract:

The recent excavations in Călugăreni / Mikháza (Mureș County, Romania) have revealed one of the most notable categories of militaria related to the oriental archers stationed here, namely the iron arrowheads. Beside the discovery of bow ear-lath fragments, bone arrow nocks attest the intensive use of composite bows at this Roman military site.

Rita Nemeth / iunie 4, 2025

Roman Cosmetic and Medical Instruments from Călugăreni / Mikháza

Marisia. Archaeologia-Historia-Patrimonium 6, 2024, p. 45–56.

DOI: 10.63509/MrsAHP.2024.6.03

Abstract:

One of the most valuable sources of Roman medical and cosmetic knowledge are the artefacts discovered at various archaeological sites. However, determining the exact functionality of these objects is challenging, as many tools could have served a dual purpose. Therefore, we can only speculate about their intended use, unless they are found in a clear context. Numerous objects belonging to these categories have been unearthed in Dacia, but this paper focuses on the 25 artefacts, which originate from the Roman military site of Călugăreni / Mikháza on the eastern limes of Dacia.