Collective finds of iron objects in the Roman villa near the village of Sinagovtsi
Collective finds of iron objects in the Roman villa near the village of Sinagovtsi

Summary/Abstract: The present study focuses on presenting two collective finds of iron objects, discovered during rescue archaeological excavations by the village of Sinagovtsi, Vidin Region (map 1). The finds have been found within a Roman building and its courtyard, in a secure archaeological context. All the accompanying objects (pottery sherds and coins) are dated to the 2nd‐ 3rd century. Collective find No. 1 contains nineteen objects (Table I‐IV), and find No. 2 – eight (Table V). According to their function, the objects can be divided into several groups: 1) agricultural tools; 2) tools for processing wood and stone; 3) object used in daily life; 4) objects used in construction. Given the condition of the analyzed objects, it should be emphasized that over 60% of those included in collective find No. 1 are broken, dulled, deformed, i. e. Were probably unusable before being deposited. As for collective find No. 2,– except for one knife (broken at the spike for the handle), all other items are well‐preserved. Based on the comparative analysis with other similar finds from the era of the Principate and the Late Antiquity, also considering the composition of those found near the village of Sinagovtsi, and their condition as well, it can be concluded that find No. 1 was collected for the purpose of melting, more like raw material. We may suggest that find No. 2 probably represents a household inventory. The large amount of slag discovered at the site near the village of Sinagovtzi also supports the possibility that there was a blacksmith workshop.

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