Budapest Régiségei 30. (1993)

TÖRTÉNET, TOPOGRÁFIA = GESCHICHTE, TOPOGRAPHIE - Szirmai Krisztina: Archaeological observations in the northern section of the so-called vicus of Albertfalva, 1973-1977 = Régészeti megfigyelések az ún. albertfalvai vicus északi részén, 1973-1977 87-118

The explored part of the limes road was found at 250 m from the Northern gate of the auxiliary camp at Albertfalva. In the Northern part of the vicus surrounding the camp, towards East from the limes road, layers and building remnants of Roman settlements were found for the first time. Inside the building resting on a stone foundation part of a row of dwellings with a North-South orientation was found with a length of 25 m and width of 3 m. The interior of the row of dwellings that can be measured is 2,50 m. The building must have had an economic function. Summary of the results (Picture 29) I. Features of the settlement Remnants of an early levelling appeared on the site. (Location No. III/2). Two oval (Location No. Ill, 1,4) and one round (Location No. 11

1/2) dwelling pits half sunk into the ground were explored. We also dug up a small pit that may have served an economic function (Location No. III/l) along with its remains. (Pillar foundations, Location No. HI/2, 4 and Surface at Location No. HI/6, 8.) On the territory of the vicus observed, at 135 m West of the limes road, an approximately 20 m long part of a 5 m wide connecting road running in an EastWest direction appeared. At the Southern edge of the road, parts of a stone-foundation, sun dried-walled building were found, extending 28 m in the NorthSouth direction and 16 m in the East-West direction. Inside the building, we dug up parts of six dwellingpits and a courtyard with the pertaining levels. It is to be noted here that the bottom of a round oven with an average diameter of 2 x 2 m also remained in the building. (Location No. H/2.) The building may have served economic functions. An additional part of the limes road came to daylight at 250 m North from the gate of the Northern gate of the auxiliary camp. It had a width of 5 m in a North-South direction and 7 m an the East-West direction. East of the more recent finds of the limes, building remnants appeared, for the first time on the territory of the vicus. Within the building, a part of a dwelling-pit with a North-South orientation appeared. We followed at a length of 25 m in the North-South direction the Eastern wall and at a length of 3 m the Western wall of the premises were observed. The interior of the premises wich could be measured represented 2,50 m. No data remained for further division of the set of premises. This building, as inherent in the characteristics of the Northern part of the vicus, may have served an economic function. II. Characteristic finds Ceramic ware contains almost all forms of the basic vessel types and their variants. Bowl and amphora sherds represent the overwhelming majority of the finds. Incense burners and: grinding mortars were fewer in quantity. (1977/1, 2., 1975/2, 4, 7 and 1977/3, 7). Sherds of jugs, flagons, pots and mugs that appeared in large quantities are to be mentioned here. Only one sample each of the sherd of a Dacián cup (1977/2), a footed-bowl (1977/2), an indented beaker and a pottery vessel were found. (1975/7, 1977/2). The storage vessel and pythos (1977/1-2) were also among the finds, as well as sherds of small lamps appeared on several occasions (1975/2., 1977/2, 5). Among the plain ceramic ware, most frequent were the gray, grainy, brick or self-coloured sherds. Painted and marble imitation sherds in varying colours appeared at almost every location. Early finds with painted figures and tendril designs were found at Albertfalva for the first time (1977/9, 1). Orange coloured, gray or black slipped pottery sherds were usual finds among the ceramic ware unearthed. From among the design motifs both the finger-pressed (Picture 13/1) and the double wave (Picture 13,2) design can be mentioned, but knob decorations (1975/9), and later even glass imitations (Picture 14, 1-2) were also found to add variance. A green-glazed sherd with knob decoration has to be mentioned here. (1975/9, 1977/1). The most recent finds with a stamped-in design at Albertfalva present a remarkable array of motifs. (1975/7, 9 1977/1, 2, 5, 9).

56 We note here the presence of a North Italian cup (1977/2). We found bowls imitating Samian ware (1977/2), a unique piece of which at Albertfalva was the one with the portrayal of a deer and the figure of an archer (1977/1). We mention here the only sherd of a bowl bearing the part of a carved in inscription, which reads ....NTINIIS. For the discussion of the Samian ware unearthed see the analysis of Dénes Gabler in this very same volume. Recent metal finds at Albertfalva were discussed already in an earlier paper. Osseous remains of animals are discussed by Alice Choyke in this very same volume. III. Period sequences 1. The Plank period levelling was observed on one location. (1977/2). The presence of the plank period from the Flavian era was observed on several locations based on stratigraphic data: the finds were a small dwelling-pit without a level (1977/2) and a smaller, oval shaped dwelling-pit with a gravelled walking level (at the Adriatic level of 100,15 m). A feature which had an economic purposes may be dated back to the same period (1977/6). We note here that remnants of a wall were found stretching on the top of the fill of a third, oval shaped dwelling-pit. (1977/1). The feature suggests that, after the pit was abandoned, a construction began when the site was arranged. Further, smaller objects that supposedly served economic purposes (1977/1, 8 and 1975/2, 4, pillar foundation) also belonged to the plank period, however the available data is not sufficient for a more precise dating. 94