ARCHAEOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON SAMPLES RECOVERED FROM DACIAN SETTLEMENTS LOCATED IN TRANSYLVANIAN AREA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the archaeobotanical investigation carried out on charred macroremains from several archaeological sites located in Transylvania area which provided valuable insights into the plant economy of Dacian settlements. According with our results, field crop production was based on cereals, legumes and fruits. The evidence shows that vegetal diet had a significant role in the nutrition of Dacian communities, which in turn were much influenced by the availability and abundance of plant resources but also of the climate conditions. We rely our hypothesis on archaeobotanical data recovered from seven Dacian settlement: Piatra Craivii, Căpȃlna, Cetea (Alba County) Augustin-Tipia Ormenișului (Brașov County) Șimleul Silvaniei - Cetate and Observator (Sălaj County) and most important on results gathered in several campaigns from Sarmizegetusa Regia (Hunedoara County). The evolution of human communities has been heavily influenced by the potential sources for life sustenance accessible in the area where they live.

Keywords

• charred macroremains, dacian communities, diet, la tene, transylvania area