Noi semne rupestre în Peștera Cizmei. Un studiu de etnoreligie
New Cave Signs in Cizmei Cave. A Study of Ethnoreligion

Summary/Abstract: The last research performed in 2016 in the Cizmei Cave from Ribicioara (village of Ribiţa, Hunedoara county) by university professor Ph.D Gheorghe Lazarovici (“Lucian Blaga” University from Sibiu) has showed cased new signs and symbols that are similar to those signs (Fig. 15) published by professor Marin Cârciumaru (“Valahia” University from Târgovişte). Six distinct areas have been identified on the left hand side of the entrance (marked conventionally by X1-X6 indices). The new signs and symbols discovered during the 2016 expedition were located with slight precision according to the location of the symbols discovered and published by Cârciumaru (Fig. 2). One of the initial hypothesis of interpreting the circles published by Marin Cârciumaru is based on the stone block engraved with solar system symbols, discovered at Gura Haitii, Șaru Dornei Commune, Suceava County (Fig. 1). The low number of signs and symbols, as well as the utilized technique require that in the future, research projects of this archeological site should utilize modern techniques of 3D topography and photography.The majority of the recently discovered signs and representations represent biblical images (Jesus Christ, Moses and the Ten Commandments, the Roman legionnaire) (Fig. 4-7, 10) as well as signs/symbols (the circle, circle arcs, the cross) (Fig. 12, 14), birds (Fig. 8) or animals (Fig. 3, 9, 11). Regarding the biblical representations, the simplicity and at times the schematic nature of the drawings portray a real artistic value of these iconic themes. The association of the Christian iconic themes in such a contained space, similar to the analogies from the early paleochristian/Christian Era, support the hypothesis that this is a hermitage cave, a place to connect with the Divine.The different writing techniques and working methods indicate cultural and time differences that exist among these signs and symbols. This study provides the opportunity of new interpretations of these recently discovered signs/symbols/images with the purpose of creating a database dedicated to Christian and prehistoric symbolism (Fig. 16). It can be affirmed that the discoveries published about the Cizmei cave of Ribicioara situate it amongst the most important monuments, with an exceptional importance for the Christian art history of the Romanian territory.

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