This article, published in the Acta Musei Porolissensis, presents an overview of Porolissum Forum... more This article, published in the Acta Musei Porolissensis, presents an overview of Porolissum Forum Project excavations in one sector of the site, Area 22. The project revealed four major phases of construction and use, including a Trajanic timber and earth phase, an Antonine stone phase, a Severan stone phase, and a late Roman phase, ca. 260's AD. We also present a concise catalogue of small finds, an analysis of the pottery, and evidence that might represent a ritual deposit.
With recent major studies of animal bone assemblages (GUDEA 2007), communication routes (FODOREAN... more With recent major studies of animal bone assemblages (GUDEA 2007), communication routes (FODOREAN 2006) and rural settlement distribution (OLTEAN 2007), the time is ripe to question exactly how land around settlements within the ancient province of Dacia was utilised and how that changed with the Roman occupation. We still understand relatively little about the botanical history of the province, but this is no excuse to ignore the questions about ancient land-use. For example, major studies of land-use and socioeconomic change have been made about Roman North Africa utilising field survey
Dacia was one of the last territories annexed by the Roman Empire and was also the first province... more Dacia was one of the last territories annexed by the Roman Empire and was also the first province to be given its independence. What happened in this region between the withdrawal of Roman administration ca. 271 and the fifth century, when Transylvania was penetrated by migratory populations, is a matter of considerable debate. Romanian archaeology in recent years has begun to objectively investigate this gray area of Romania’s past, but even so there is still very little known about the immediate post-Roman phase (ca. 271-375). In order to gain a new perspective on this period, this paper reviews archaeological evidence from three major towns (Napoca, Potaissa and Porolissum) along the northern frontier of the province, perhaps some of the first to be formally abandoned by Roman administration. The authors argue that there is a good case for considering a post-Roman Dacia which displays some elements of continuity in life amongst sweeping changes in politics, economy and society. For over a century after the Roman withdrawal, activities can be seen in and around the towns of the former province which are similar to their Late Antique counterparts still within imperial territory.
Roman archaeology tends to divide into two extreme scales of study: the individual in studies of ... more Roman archaeology tends to divide into two extreme scales of study: the individual in studies of identity, and global processes in studies of politics and economy. What is frequently missing is the point between the two, the social fabric that connects the individual to these broader processes. A focused study of community can bridge between these concepts and reveal dynamic social forces in play at local, regional, and potentially global levels. In this paper I attempt to do two things: first of all, to trace the genealogy of studies of community in social sciences and archaeology, and identify its strengths and weaknesses as it stands; and second, to develop a more robust means of exploring community in archaeology, using a case study from the Kasserine Survey in Tunisia. Roman archaeology may benefit a great deal from applying this approach to field surveys and excavations to understand the stories of social interaction in between the global and the individual.
The reciprocal relationship of archaeology and politics has played an important role in the cours... more The reciprocal relationship of archaeology and politics has played an important role in the course of archaeological investigations in the Romanian region of Transylvania. Although an unfortunate consequence of this has been the stifling of landscape archaeology, surveys and excavation projects within the past two decades give us the opportunity to re-dress this problem. Using data from numerous rescue excavations as well as focused research excavations and field-walking in the counties of Salaj and Cluj in Romania, comprising most of the ancient province of Dacia Porolissensis, I synthesize and assess settlement and activity data from the first through fourth centuries A.D. My research provides the basis for new insights into the impact of Roman occupation on civilians in this region. Previous work focused on fortifications and fortified settlements here have greatly increased knowledge about Roman and Dacian strategic considerations, but have led to major gaps in the understanding of the impact of the installation of networks of roads, cities, and fortifications in a complex and varied landscape. While the Roman army and other immigrants chose to settle in similar areas to the native population, specific topographic preference for settlement changed, a pattern that seems to be followed by Goths and other immigrants in this area starting in the late third century A.D. This reflects both a functional and symbolic change in the organisation of the landscape that was swift and jarring, with lasting effects.
This article, published in the Acta Musei Porolissensis, presents an overview of Porolissum Forum... more This article, published in the Acta Musei Porolissensis, presents an overview of Porolissum Forum Project excavations in one sector of the site, Area 22. The project revealed four major phases of construction and use, including a Trajanic timber and earth phase, an Antonine stone phase, a Severan stone phase, and a late Roman phase, ca. 260's AD. We also present a concise catalogue of small finds, an analysis of the pottery, and evidence that might represent a ritual deposit.
With recent major studies of animal bone assemblages (GUDEA 2007), communication routes (FODOREAN... more With recent major studies of animal bone assemblages (GUDEA 2007), communication routes (FODOREAN 2006) and rural settlement distribution (OLTEAN 2007), the time is ripe to question exactly how land around settlements within the ancient province of Dacia was utilised and how that changed with the Roman occupation. We still understand relatively little about the botanical history of the province, but this is no excuse to ignore the questions about ancient land-use. For example, major studies of land-use and socioeconomic change have been made about Roman North Africa utilising field survey
Dacia was one of the last territories annexed by the Roman Empire and was also the first province... more Dacia was one of the last territories annexed by the Roman Empire and was also the first province to be given its independence. What happened in this region between the withdrawal of Roman administration ca. 271 and the fifth century, when Transylvania was penetrated by migratory populations, is a matter of considerable debate. Romanian archaeology in recent years has begun to objectively investigate this gray area of Romania’s past, but even so there is still very little known about the immediate post-Roman phase (ca. 271-375). In order to gain a new perspective on this period, this paper reviews archaeological evidence from three major towns (Napoca, Potaissa and Porolissum) along the northern frontier of the province, perhaps some of the first to be formally abandoned by Roman administration. The authors argue that there is a good case for considering a post-Roman Dacia which displays some elements of continuity in life amongst sweeping changes in politics, economy and society. For over a century after the Roman withdrawal, activities can be seen in and around the towns of the former province which are similar to their Late Antique counterparts still within imperial territory.
Roman archaeology tends to divide into two extreme scales of study: the individual in studies of ... more Roman archaeology tends to divide into two extreme scales of study: the individual in studies of identity, and global processes in studies of politics and economy. What is frequently missing is the point between the two, the social fabric that connects the individual to these broader processes. A focused study of community can bridge between these concepts and reveal dynamic social forces in play at local, regional, and potentially global levels. In this paper I attempt to do two things: first of all, to trace the genealogy of studies of community in social sciences and archaeology, and identify its strengths and weaknesses as it stands; and second, to develop a more robust means of exploring community in archaeology, using a case study from the Kasserine Survey in Tunisia. Roman archaeology may benefit a great deal from applying this approach to field surveys and excavations to understand the stories of social interaction in between the global and the individual.
The reciprocal relationship of archaeology and politics has played an important role in the cours... more The reciprocal relationship of archaeology and politics has played an important role in the course of archaeological investigations in the Romanian region of Transylvania. Although an unfortunate consequence of this has been the stifling of landscape archaeology, surveys and excavation projects within the past two decades give us the opportunity to re-dress this problem. Using data from numerous rescue excavations as well as focused research excavations and field-walking in the counties of Salaj and Cluj in Romania, comprising most of the ancient province of Dacia Porolissensis, I synthesize and assess settlement and activity data from the first through fourth centuries A.D. My research provides the basis for new insights into the impact of Roman occupation on civilians in this region. Previous work focused on fortifications and fortified settlements here have greatly increased knowledge about Roman and Dacian strategic considerations, but have led to major gaps in the understanding of the impact of the installation of networks of roads, cities, and fortifications in a complex and varied landscape. While the Roman army and other immigrants chose to settle in similar areas to the native population, specific topographic preference for settlement changed, a pattern that seems to be followed by Goths and other immigrants in this area starting in the late third century A.D. This reflects both a functional and symbolic change in the organisation of the landscape that was swift and jarring, with lasting effects.
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Papers by Rob Wanner
is the point between the two, the social fabric that connects the individual to these broader processes. A focused study of community can bridge between these concepts and reveal dynamic social forces in play at local, regional, and potentially global levels. In this paper I attempt to do two things: first of all, to trace the genealogy of studies of community in social sciences and archaeology, and identify its strengths and weaknesses as it stands; and second, to develop a more robust means of exploring community in archaeology, using a case study from the Kasserine Survey in Tunisia. Roman archaeology may benefit a great deal from applying this approach to field surveys and excavations to understand the stories of social interaction in between the global and the individual.
Talks by Rob Wanner
is the point between the two, the social fabric that connects the individual to these broader processes. A focused study of community can bridge between these concepts and reveal dynamic social forces in play at local, regional, and potentially global levels. In this paper I attempt to do two things: first of all, to trace the genealogy of studies of community in social sciences and archaeology, and identify its strengths and weaknesses as it stands; and second, to develop a more robust means of exploring community in archaeology, using a case study from the Kasserine Survey in Tunisia. Roman archaeology may benefit a great deal from applying this approach to field surveys and excavations to understand the stories of social interaction in between the global and the individual.