Papers by Gabriel Talmatchi
Romanian Archeological InstItute in Athens 1, 2019
The Hellenistic coinage of Histria (Istros), Callatis and Tomis circumscribes the types issued by... more The Hellenistic coinage of Histria (Istros), Callatis and Tomis circumscribes the types issued by the local workshops as a sign of the political and economical authority of these West-Pontic colonies during this chronological framework. The main purpose of these monetary issues was to be used as payment means, at an imposed value, validated on the local market and inside the chora, and sometimes on larger geographic areas as well. At the same time the coins represent items of propaganda and social display, their iconography corresponding to deities significant both inside the area controlled or influenced by the cities and beyond. Also, the gods’ presence on the coins, accompanied on the reverse by their characteristic attributes, is just another way of paying them homage. During the Hellenistic times, in general, such representations are characterised by expressivity and artistic quality. The presence of specific deities on coinage is dictated by religious criteria (each colony favouring various cults and gods), but also by the historical and military contexts which influence directly the situation of the analysed cities, inclusively from the point of view of their economical and commercial life.
This paper focuses on several new observations concerning relevant aspects of the West-Pontic monetary iconography during the Hellenistic period until the complete instauration of the Roman authority in Dobrudja.
Archaeopress Publishing Ltd eBooks, May 20, 2021
Acta Archaeologica Lodziensia, 2015
One of the main questions to be put to the evidence is what is the connection between the shape o... more One of the main questions to be put to the evidence is what is the connection between the shape of monetary signs in use and everyday reality in the sixth and fifth centuries BC. Also, if they were commercial items, what was their significance, because they don't fully express the function of currency? Were they made in the shape of arrowheads without ultimately symbolizing anything of the purpose for which they were created? In fact, 'arrowhead' monetary signs represent measurable symbols, used in real trade transactions as a 'standard' in certain regions. They were established to act as a counterpart for quantities of goods, which were at the time in question grain and fish products. These two commodities seem to be the most sought after by the local population of Greek origin population. These monetary signs could represent, after a primary connection had been established by spindle-shaped arrowheads, through other stages too throughout the second half of the 6 th century BC, evolve into other shapes, in the classic cases representations in the shape of cereal grain, or marine fish respectively. Our opinion is that the interpretation of these signs must have been unequivocal for the population of 6 th and 5 th centuries BC, or, more precisely the interpretation of their significance and destination. Here we are not referring to real arrowheads used in battle. In casting these monetary signs items the elements which were selected for local exchange were depicted in a selected shape. This means that the simplest one, an arrowhead, represents this symbolically, it is not a real weapon. They represent instead the exchange items for which they were created: cereals-wheat ears or wheat and barley grains, fishery products etc. These new considerations were suggested to us by the study of the monetary symbolism throughout the Greek world. Special attention has been given to the presence, on some of the "arrowhead" monetary signs of the first type (especially the cast monetary signs), of a series of symbols that could be linked, it is assumed, to some monetary workshops of the West-Pontic colonies. They appear chiefly, if not in their entirety, on the "arrowhead" signs in the shape of a laurel leaf, with elongated form with a prominence of central rib and edge.
Studia Antiqua et Archaeologica, Oct 5, 2021
New information on roman monetary discoveries in the vicinity of the Tropaeum Traiani (com.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
Abstract The phase composition and internal structure of several fragments of ancient ceramic amp... more Abstract The phase composition and internal structure of several fragments of ancient ceramic amphorae discovered in archeological excavations in the Dobrudja region, Romania, have been studied using optical microscopy, neutron diffraction and tomography, and Raman spectroscopy. The good neutron radiography contrast between the constituent elements of the studied fragments, as well as the high penetration capability of neutron methods, allow performing non-destructive studies of such archeological items. The bulk phase composition of the amphora fragments and the spatial arrangement of the main components were determined. The nonuniform distribution of the clay and silicates phases was observed, the volume calculations of presumed silicates grains were done. The observed structural features of the studied ancient pottery fragments are explained within the assumption of different chemical processes, that took place during the firing of pottery.
Peuce (Serie Nouă). Studii şi cercetari de istorie şi arheologie, 2015
Investigations in the south and south-west sector of Tropaeum Traiani (actual C) provided for a l... more Investigations in the south and south-west sector of Tropaeum Traiani (actual C) provided for a long time numerous archaeological, historic, architectural data, etc. Research started nearly four decades ago (in 1969), but stopped shortly afterwards, to be later resumed during the campaigns in the `70s and the `80s. At the end of the '90s, archaeological survey continued (with some interruptions) until 2014 (with funds from the Ministry of Culture and from the Museum of National History and Archaeology Constanța) in the south Roman-Byzantine district of Tropaeum Traiani (sector C), near the south gate of the city, which was built during Constantine period. The objective was to obtain new information on the overall image of the late Roman dwellings and existing road system in the area, mainly via forensis (or cardo), which led to the south gate. However, we note that it was very difficult to abide by an archaeological excavation plan (annual and five-year) with pre-set goals, beca...
Peuce (Serie Nouă). Studii şi cercetari de istorie şi arheologie, 2014
The subject we selected for this paper answers some personal concerns to which we have already de... more The subject we selected for this paper answers some personal concerns to which we have already dedicated a few years of research. One of the main questions we put is: what connections are between the shape of these monetary signs and everyday realities in the 6th-5th century B.C.? Also, if they were commercial items, what was their significance, as they don't fully express the currency functions? Were they made in "arrowhead" shape without ultimately symbolizing anything of the purpose for which they were created? Is there a more elaborate answer in this regard or should we find a very simple explanation, as we consider we should identify for that period? In fact, arrowheads-monetary signs represent measurable symbols of some economic and trade realities, used under certain regionally established "standards". They were designated as counterparties for goods, like grain and fish. These seem to be the most sought after commodities of the Greek population and th...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2022
1 “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering, P.O.Box MG-6, RO-077125... more 1 “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering, P.O.Box MG-6, RO-077125 Bucharest – Magurele, Romania, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail: [email protected] National History and Archaeology Museum, Constanta, Romania, E-mail: [email protected] Università di Padova, Dip. Di Fisica “G. Galilei” and INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, I-35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy, E-mail: [email protected]
Acta Archaeologica Lodziensia, 2019
The city of Callatis, founded by colonists of Heraclea Pontica, probably in the second half of th... more The city of Callatis, founded by colonists of Heraclea Pontica, probably in the second half of the 6th century BC, experienced a special period of economic and urban development during the 4th century BC. With its resource-rich agricultural hinterland, the colony sustained a dynamic trade with important commercial centres (Heraclea, Sinope, Thasos, Rhodes etc.). During the second half of the 4th century BC, the local and regional context favoured the opening of a mint that initially struck silver (drachmas, half drachmas and quarter drachmas), then gold (staters) and silver (tetradrachms), as well as bronze coins of various iconographic types. Chronologically, Callatis is the second coin-issuing centre on the west coast of the Dobrudja after Istros. The presence, penetration and possible circulation of monetary issues from Callatis, during the 4th-1st centuries BC, can be traced step by step in different geographic areas, which closely correlate to the directions of trade developed by the colony in different chronological phases. What is noteworthy for the isolated discoveries is, during the fourth century, the widespread distribution of the bronze coins of the city, which are found in overwhelming proportions if we compare them with finds of Greek, Greek-native and native issues (particularly as regards the territory south of the Danube).
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2017
New results regarding alloy composition and microstructure for a series of ancient bronze and sil... more New results regarding alloy composition and microstructure for a series of ancient bronze and silver items by X-ray Fluorescence and micro-Particle Induced X-ray Emission spectrometry were obtained in the framework of an extensive numismatic project (Scythian-type arrowheads, arrowhead-shaped monetary signs and wheel coins produced by Histria, 7th-4th century of BCE, and Dacian Radulesti-Hunedoara-type silver tetradrachms, 2nd-1st century of BCE). In Histria, warfare arrowheads were used for trade with Barbarian neighbors at first, then mechanically modified, next melted and cast as dedicated monetary signs, being, in the end, replaced by wheel coins. Three different types of alloys have been identified, and Cu-Mn and Cu-Pb segregation shown. In a blank for Radulesti-Hunedoara-type coins, Ag-(Cu +Pb) segregation has been demonstrated, suggesting an imperfectly alloyed silver-leaded bronze.
Pontica, 2004
The authors describe ten coins, six of them are made of silver and four are made of bronze, origi... more The authors describe ten coins, six of them are made of silver and four are made of bronze, originating from archaeological sites or private collections (C. BÅcÅoanu, A. Craciun, etc.). The great majority consists of rare pieces found among the archaeological discoveries in the territory situated between the Danube and the Black Sea. Their publication has a scientific support, being also a means of pointing them out, of bringing them to the specialists' attention. The discoveries at issue, originating from Dobrudja, are a proof for the active part that this region played in the trade that took place within the Black Sea basin, also offering suggestions (with all the necessary precautions) concerning the areas towards which the commercial or political preferences of the locals went.
JOURNAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY, 2020
The article analyses a number of four monetary forms of funerary accumulations that were found ei... more The article analyses a number of four monetary forms of funerary accumulations that were found either accidentally or as a result of preventive archaeological excavations. These coins are dated during the early Roman period, were found near fortified centers (Carsium and Noviodunum) and vici type settlements (Poiana, not far from the capital of the province, Tomis) located in the territorial area of the province of Moesia Inferior. A total number of 19 bronze coins are listed, of which five sestertii, six dupondii and eight asses. The three small batches of coins and the hoard fall in the category of the funerary items voluntarily (intentionally) deposited in graves. All of them (but especially the first three) illustrate the often identified custom of leaving in the graves coins that were out of circulation for several decades or even longer. The coins had only a symbolic value, being mere decorative objects. The identified coins seem to generally confirm a carefully made selection of the reverse representations, according to a decision taken by the deceased's family for his last trip. Thus, the iconographic selection illustrates the "fashionable" mentalities and superstitions specific for the corresponding chronological periods. However, sometimes, these superstitions can also be personal, which is why the analyses have to be done differently for each situation. The presence of several coins in deposits or hoards may be linked with a particular belief regarding the necessity of paying for several passes during their trip to the underworld.
Peuce (Serie Nouă). Studii şi cercetari de istorie şi arheologie, 2016
On the occasion of the archeological research conducted on the new beltway of Constanţa a large r... more On the occasion of the archeological research conducted on the new beltway of Constanţa a large rural settlement of vicus type was discovered. Its overall stratigraphy contains two cores and two phases of habitation: a first level of habitation represented by pits, semi-interred structures and ditches (belonging to the end of 2nd century-first half of 3rd century A.D.), overlapped by a second one consisting of a surface habitation corresponding to the end of 3rd and 4th century A.D. The observations made over the recovered coins suggest a similar dating of the settlement, being determined, from a statistic point of view, peaks of monetary circulation and some possible periods of local prosperity in the last quarter of 2nd century A.D. and the first four decades of 3rd century A.D., respectively the period delimitated by the years 330-336 and 354-358 A.D. (with some later attempts of recovery between 364-378 A.D.).
Information Services & Use, 2006
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Papers by Gabriel Talmatchi
This paper focuses on several new observations concerning relevant aspects of the West-Pontic monetary iconography during the Hellenistic period until the complete instauration of the Roman authority in Dobrudja.
This paper focuses on several new observations concerning relevant aspects of the West-Pontic monetary iconography during the Hellenistic period until the complete instauration of the Roman authority in Dobrudja.