NOTES REGARDING THE ROMAN PRESENCE IN THE AREA OF THE LIMESTONE QUARRIES AT MĂGURA CĂLANULUI
NOTES REGARDING THE ROMAN PRESENCE IN THE AREA OF THE LIMESTONE QUARRIES AT MĂGURA CĂLANULUI

Summary/Abstract: Măgura Călanului Hill is known in literature as the source of the stone (oolitic limestone) for the Dacian fortresses in the Șureanu (Orăștiei) mountains, confirmed through petrographic and mineralogic analyses. It is generally accepted that the same quarries have been used by the Romans, after conquering the Dacian Kingdom, but the hypothesis has not yet been firmly confirmed. In the 19th century there have been a lot of discoveries around these quarries dating from the Roman era and indicating the existence of rural settlements, necropolises, and temples. However, the exact location of these finds is still unknown since no systematic archaeological research has been done and the toponyms have not been identified in the field. The present article will use the data already published, corroborated with field observations, information gathered from the locals, and analysis of a LiDAR‑derived digital terrain model. Four areas with Roman‑era discoveries have been identified around the antique limestone quarries on Măgura Călanului. The presence of Roman settlements in the near vicinity of the old Dacian quarries poses some questions as to the continuous stone nexploitation of these quarries during the Roman period or at least before the 3rd Century AD. The opening of new quarries by the Romans in the same area adds a further argument to this matter. It is necessary to do systematic archaeological research in the aforementioned Roman sites, as well as analyses to determine with precision the source of the stone used for the constructions and monuments in this area.

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