Cetatea Carașova - între „imaginația istoricilor” și realitățile arheologice
Carașova fortress – between “historians’ imagination” and archaeological realities

Summary/Abstract: Carașova fortress (comm. of Carașova, Caraș-Severin County) from the former medieval county of Caraș came to the attention of historians since the 19th century, and of the archaeologists at the end of the 60s of the 20th century. In the absence of field research, or as a result of poor archaeological knowledge, the information published was among the most fanciful. The archaeological excavations at the end of the 1990s and during 2000 and 2001 managed to provide a lot of details about the site and to reject some unfounded assumptions. Mainly, the idea of a single construction phase of the fortress was abandoned, as three stages were identified, dated most probably from early 14th until 16th centuries. The latest developments are related to some utilities, being carried out at a time when the fortress had been destroyed, so they belong to the end of the 16th century or even the beginning of the next. The entrances to the fortress and some arrangements in the inner courtyard, most probably dated to the end of the 14th or in the first third of the 15th century, were also identified. Archaeological research has led to the discovery of artefacts that prove iron processing, as well as some bone objects, providing details on the dietary habits of those who lived here, information on the trade of various goods, monetary circulation, but also elements related to daily activities, less known and discussed in older or more recent specialised literature. Observations on the way the walls were constructed in all the three constructive stages of the fortress were also made.

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