Combined project of eco-cultural
reconstruction
«Rudi – Maetonium: the stratigraphy of the region»
Project initiators: The High Anthropological School,
Scientific-Educational Center «Rudi-Maetonium» and the Fund
for Cultural Initiatives «World as Mirror for Moldova».
Project partners: there have been a number
of partners during the project activity, such as Institute
of Archaeology and Ethnography from Moldova (Academy of Science),
State Hermitage (Russia, St. Petersburg), Institute of Francology
(Romania, Bucharest), Archaeological Istitute of Lester University
(England), Center for the Study of Eurasian Nomads (Berkeley,
USA).
Project manager: Tkaciuk M.E. – Doctor of
history. Students and staff of the High Anthropological School
take part in the project.
General view on the Rudi
– La Shantsuri site |
Project Goal:
complex study of historical and landscape microzone Rudi –
Tatarauca Noua by employing the following methods:
• Long-term scientific research
of the different times archaeological sites concentrated
in that microzone;
• Study of Ethnocultural interaction and ethnic specificity
problem of the Moldovan, Ukrainian and Russian population
living on the given territory now;
• Foundation of the detailed database of all archaeological,
historical and cultural objects revealed in the microzone;
• Preparation and publication of materials obtained during
scientific researches;
• Foundation of a Summer Archaeological Campus for the Moldovan
and foreign students and high school pupils;
• Participation in the actions concerned with inclusion
of the microzone in the tourist routes.
Following the general plan of works in the microzone, basic
efforts are originally concentrated on several main directions
that include superficial research of territory with the
purpose of revealing new archaeological sites, excavation
of the most representative sites, foundation of the Summer
Archaeological Campus and preparation of the preliminary
publications on the results of the researches.
Since the 1998 and up to the present
time the High Anthropological School carries out systematic
and constant research works in the microzone. During these
years several sites dated by different periods have been
researched. Intensive inspection of territory of the microzone
was performed with the purpose of revealing and registration
of the new archaeological objects. By the present time,
information has been collected on more than 70 sites of
various periods, from the Palaeolithic till the late Middle
Ages.
Stationary researches were made
on sites of the fortified sites Rudi-La Santuri, Germanarium
(Tatarauca Noua IV), Piscul Gol (Tatarauca Noua V) and open
settlements Tatarauca Noua III and XIV.
Archaeological map of the
Rudi–Arionesti microzone |
•
The site of the fortified settlement Rudi-La Santuri. By
its size, the site is the largest fortified settlement in
the Carpathian-Dniester region. It is supposed that there
was a city of Maetonium mentioned in "Geography"by
Claudius Ptolemy. In the early period, the settlement was
defended by a complex system of defensive constructions.
Based on the preliminary data, the investigated part of
the site (1st century AD) represents a cult center or a
sanctuary.
• The site of the fortified settlement
Germanarium (Tatarauca Noua IV). Small in size ring-shaped
fortified settlement Germanarium is a part of extensive
Slavic settlement dated by 10th-12th c.c. located in the
deep canyon. Excavations of the non-fortified parts of the
settlement revealed earth-houses and a unique industrial
shop for iron ore smelting.
• The site of the fortified settlement
Piscul Gol (Tatarauca Noua V). The territory of the site
yielded strata of late Tripolie cultures and the early Iron
Age, as well as burial place of Sarmatian culture and separate
discoveries of early Roman time. The cultural affiliation
and dating of defensive constructions haven’t been established
yet.
• Tripolie settlement (Tatarauca
Noua III). The peripheral part of the settlement of the
Tripolie culture of its middle period has been researched.
Household constructions containing plenty of ceramics, flint
and stone work instruments, antropomorphic and zoomorphic
figurines were found. Materials of the Paleolithic period
and early Roman time are also found on the settlement.
• Settlement Tatarauca Noua XIV.
The site contains a few stratigraphic layers, dated by the
Neolithic, the Bronze and the Early Iron Age. The Neolithic
settlement is represented by the Bug-Dniester culture. The
Tripolie settlement yielded a wattle and daub house, hearths
and other household constructions. A burial ground is discovered
in the stratum of the early Iron Age. Several graves with
cremations have been studied here.
Summer Archaeological
Field School
The expedition houses an international
archaeological field school. Students from Moldova, Russia,
USA, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium and other countries
have passed training in it. Alongside with participation
in archaeological excavations, students have taken courses
of lectures on such topics as "Archaeology and history
of Moldova" and "Art of archaeological researches".
Archaeological excavations on the Rudi–La Santuri |
Prospects
in project activity
Further development of the project proposes the following
main directions of research:
• Priority in researching fortified and open settlements
of medieval period;
• Working out local cultural-chronological scheme;
• Development of cultural unions in different periods and
the landscape around them;
• Study of the modern ethnic-cultural situation in the microzone.
• Planning of tourist itineraries.
