Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 1. (2019)
Nicoleta Man: Life on Roman Limes. Civilitan Settlements on Eastern Limes of Dacia (Between the Camps from Brăncoveneşti and Sărăţeni)
60 N. Man At such supposition leads us the existence of spades, used in other parts of the Roman world, to the rocky land, unfit for the plough. Finally, prove the same specialty of tools, the two types of scythes found in deposit from Märculeni: ordinary scythe cutting grass (falax foenaria) and massive scythe and short (falax sirpicula) used especially for cutting sedge. Large number of tools related to the cultivation and use of cereals: plugs, scythes, sickles, grinders, and burnt grains of wheat discovered at Dedrad, proving that this area is mainly producing grain. But archaeological discoveries have revealed many other tools that show the practice and the other branches of agriculture. Thus, a hoe with fork, discovered at Märculeni proves horticultural practice, or as a blade found in the same deposit, indicates its use for chopping straw. Although we have no concrete archaeological evidence about the existence of forests in this part of Dacia and the fact that in major cities of the province exists colleges of carpenters indicates the wood exploitation in this land. Forest areas are more extensive, as in plain, probably in the past ages forests occupied a large area (at least this proves that the names of villages: Ibäne?ti- Pädure, Sängeorgiu de Pädure, Lunca Bradului). Existence of a livestock activity is demonstrated also by numerous discoveries. Grill discovered in the Märculeni proves that the owner and his family ate meat, so there practiced farming activities. Numerous animal bones found in Waste pits: bull bones, pigs, sheep and goats come to prove also widespread livestock. It is believed that the salt mines from Sovata and Jabenija were exploited in Roman times. For such an assumption also suggested building a guard tower, possibly at Gurghiu, only 4 km from the mines to Jabenija, whose role, in addition to border defence, and that was sure to serve guard nearby salt exploitation. About of salt mines from Sovata, M. Roska still recalls in his repertoire the existence of traces of Roman material, traces which talk about salt mining since Roman times. Moreover, large military system, the camp from Säräjeni, the wave of land and possibly guard tower on the hill Bekecs course served and guard these lands. Salt mining in this area can be indirectly proven by border pattern, which includes deposits of salt-rich region and the fact that in addition to developing a strong defensive system, represented by two camps, defensive towers, earth walls, to the saline stops the Roman road which climbs the valley of Niraj valley. Salt mines operated in the upper area of the Mure? valley satisfactory, primarily local needs, but it was sent elsewhere, making transportation on Mure?. Tenants, with the exploitation of salt, were entitled to sell them. Although there is attest a activity for processing metals (proof by casting spoon and forging objects discovered at Märculeni), it was poorly represented, reducing the production of small objects: hinges, frame mirror, nails, keys, etc., which requires obtaining a small amount of raw materials. Commercial ties not only between the settlements of eastern Dacia Superior were performed on primary and secondary roads, which liaises with the great trade flow in the rest of the province and the Empire. Mure? River was an important artery of communication, which allowed the trade to large distances, linking the area with great river arteries of the empire, the Danube. Another aspect of economic life in the area, is the presence of many treasures, discovered at Dämbäu, Säla?uri, Criste?ti, Reghin (Dumbrävioara), Bereni and discoveries of coins, containing a smaller number of pieces, made in some civil settlements, or where such settlements are supposed to Criste?ti, Täureni, Tfigäreni, More?ti, Glodeni, Band, Cälugäreni, Särä(eni, Bräncovene?ti, Deda, Solovästru, Gurghiu, Dumbrävioara, Ideciu de Sus, Bogata, Voivodeni etc.34 Among these, treasures from Dumbrävioara (Reghin) and Bereni is close to the limes. Hoard from Bereni contains 57 bronze pieces (10 Dp. and 47 as) and bronze ornaments (fragmentary bracelets, a ring and a buckle or fibula). Treasure is scheduled between Augustus and Faustina, the last piece being issued in the years 150-151.35 34 Chirilä et al. 1980, 24-26. 35 Suciu 2000, 26-27; Chirilä-Grigorescu 1981, 277-285.
