GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE ROMAN LIMES IN THE COUNTY OF BISTRIȚA-NĂSĂUD (ROMANIA). CASE STUDY: THE SOMEȘ LIMES (SPERMEZEU-PERIȘOR-ZAGRA-SALVANĂSĂUD SECTION)

Abstract

The Roman limes from the county of Bistrița-Năsăud is part of the Porolissensis Limes and extends along a line connecting the villages Ciceu Corabia, Negrilești, Ciceu Poieni, Dobric, Spermezeu, Zagra, Salva, Năsăud, Livezile, and Orheiul Bistriței. It features specific elements, represented by Roman roads, watchtowers, burgi, and castra. Geographically, this section of the limes lies in a hilly area, represented by the Someșul Mare Hills (Ciceu Hills, Suplai Hills, Năsăud Hills) and the Bistrița Hills. The touristic and leisure value of the Limes from the county of Bistrița-Năsăud is given by the geographical features of the region (relief, climate, vegetation) and by the Roman vestiges discovered in the area. The present paper focus on the limes section stretching between the Ilișua Valley (at Spermezeu) and the Someșul Mare River (at Năsăud), and aims to identify, catalogue, and evaluate elements of the Roman limes, and to elaborate touristic utilisation strategies of the archaeological sites. The team’s research identified good and very good preserved Roman tower substructures, allowing the precise mapping of the Roman limes line in the northeastern part of the Bistrița-Năsăud County.

Keywords

• limes romanus
• roman wach tower
• roman heritage
• geoarchaeology
• archaeologic site
• cultural tourism