Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 31/1. (2011)
Articles
116 D. V. Sana-I. Bejinariu is not entirely clear at this moment. Because of the three fragmentary moulds found here along with the sandstone blocks and burnt charcoal and pottery, initially it was interpreted as a metal workshop (Pop EtAl. 2002,305). However, the lack of hearths, melting pot, bronze slag or other materials, like utensils used for metalworking6 - clear evidences of metallurgical activity - makes difficult such a conclusion, questioning supported by the observation regarding the depth of the feature, which would favoured the accumulation of toxic gases. Yet, since the feature was only partially researched, in case of future archaeological excavations there is still possible to identify more evidence of metalworking even within this building. Even so, the practice of metallurgical activities in the settlement from §imleu Silvaniei- Observator can be sustained based on the moulds with traces of use and waste resulting from the process of bronze casting, which indicate the presence of blacksmiths, craftsmen and even workshops. The area lacks mineral resources - which made the metal objects more valuable -, therefore these craftsmen probably satisfied the needs of local elites. The political and military control of the Crasna valley, important area and crossroad between Transylvania and the Tisza Basin from prehistory to the modern times, probably provided an advantage in their attempt to procure the necessary raw materials. The bronze pieces and especially the Mörigen-type belt hook casting mould with analogies in Central Europe (Pl. 3/B), indicate that the settlement from §imleu Silvaniei-Observator was located in the proximity of a significant route of cultural contacts and long range economic exchanges. We consider that technological development in the production of metal goods from §imleu Silvaniei-Ofeservufor was determined both by the needs of subsistence economy -tools and weapons - and the relations or social status of inhabitants of the most important settlements from the $imleu Depression. All this suggests the existence of a stratified society, without the possibility of determining more precisely their characteristics. REFERENCES Bejinariu-Pop 1997 Boroffka 1987 BOROFFKA 1991 Carancini 1975 Fetzer 1898 Geográfia 1992 Gumä 1993 Jugänaru 2005 Kemenczei 1984 Kilian-Dirlmeier 1975 Bejinariu, I.-Pop, H„ Santierul arheologic Simleu Silvaniei Observator, CCA 1996, 61-62, pl. 34. Borolfka, N., Folosirea fierului ín Románia de la inceputuri pänä in secolul al VIH-lea i.e.n., Apulum, 24, 55-77. Boroffka, N., Die Verwendung von Eisen in Rumänien von den Anfängen bis das 8. Jahrhundendert v. Chr., IN: Kristiansen, K.-Jensen, J. (eds.), Europe in the 1st millennium ВС, Berlin, 1-38. Carancini, G. L., Die Nadeln in Italien. Gli spilloni nell’Italia continentale, PBF, XIII, 2, München. Fetzer, J. R, A szilágysomlyói leletekről, ArchÉrt, 18, 418-423. Geográfia Romániei, IV, Bucuresti. Gumä, M„ Civilizatia príméi epoci a fierului ín sud-vestul Romániei, ВТ, IV. Jugänaru, G., Cultura Babadag, I, Constanta. Kemenczei, T., Die Spätbronzezeit Nordostungarns, ArchHung, 51. Kilian-Dirlmeier, I., Gürtelhaken, Gürtelbleche und Blechgürtel der Bronzezeit in Mitteleuropa, PBF, XII, 2, München. 6 A small, simple chisel of bronze revealed by our friend and colleague H. Pop may constitute an exception. Although this piece was generously put to our disposal, the lack of well-dated context and clear analogies dated in the period covered by our study, determined us not to include it in the present paper.
