Notes on an almost forgotten Roman frontier sector from the Meses Mountains (Dacia Porolissensis)
Notes on an almost forgotten Roman frontier sector from the Meses Mountains (Dacia Porolissensis)

Summary/Abstract: The path of the Meseș Mountains crosses from South to north the administrative territory of Sălaj County, being a mountain group localized in the north-eastern extremity of the Apuseni Mountains, a low altitude step of relief relatively uniform and narrow (5-8 km). The territorial organization process of the Dacian province included this mountain segment in its territory, the physical elements of the Roman frontier organization being established on the top of the mountains, an area considered today to be the north-western limes of Dacia Porolissensis. The continuous ridge and the massif fragmentations generated a particular adjustment of the Roman frontier system, being composed of surveillance watchtowers located on the top of the predominant peaks or other strategic points, of fortlets that controlled the access in the province through the main crossing valleys, of auxiliary forts located several km behind this line respectively of extra security and control elements in the form of the linear fortifications. The present study is considering the reanalysis of a frontier sector relatively ignored; the sector is located in the area of Vârful Păstaie-Sub Păstaie-La Șuvar, being composed of four surveillance watchtowers, a linear fortification of 1.5 km length respectively a possible secondary transit gateway.

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