RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN ALBA IULIA: NEW ROMAN GRAVES DISCOVERED AT “PROFI” AND “REPUBLICII BOULEVARD” SITES (2023)
RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN ALBA IULIA: NEW ROMAN GRAVES DISCOVERED AT “PROFI” AND “REPUBLICII BOULEVARD” SITES (2023)

Summary/Abstract: The rescue archaeological excavations were carried out between July and October 2023 and January 2024, on Republicii Boulevard in Alba Iulia, in the Profi-OMV area. The research team consisted of Dr. Cristinel Fântâneanu (scientific coordinator – MNUAI), Dr. Gabriel Balteș, and Dr. Ovidiu Oargă (team members – MNUAI). The excavation revealed several Roman contexts, including inhumation and cremation graves associated with the northern cemetery of Apulum. This cemetery was first archaeologically investigated in 1957 and has since been the subject of ongoing research due to the urbanistic development of the mentioned area. The discoveries made in 2023 have the usual characteristics of the graves previously documented in Apulum. Some of them contain grave goods, such as pottery, lamps, unguentaria, baby bottles, coins, adornments and miniature vessels. A part of the artefacts can suggest the social identities of the deceased individuals, while others express different funerary rituals and beliefs. One inhumation grave stands out through the discovered artefacts, which suggest the age of the deceased and his or her new status after death.

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