Excavations at the Eastern Gate of the Băneasa Roman fort
Excavations at the Eastern Gate of the Băneasa Roman fort

Summary/Abstract: Within the short archaeological campaigns from 2018 and 2019 we have excavated at the middle of the eastern side of the large fort from Băneasa (Teleorman County), facing the frontier’s palisade. It has been discovered one of the gates (first to be studied) of an unusual type: there is only one tower, made of wood, almost twice longer than wide, used as an entrance way, 2.4 m in width. The gate itself was made of a grid of horizontal and vertical wooden boards, connected by large iron nails found in great numbers.Made around AD 200, the first phase of the large fort was set on fire about 25 years later, the pillars of the gate being burned one meter below the ground level. Under the debris were caught both offensive and defensive arms, a rare brooch and some small tools from the personal equipment. The only coin found here has confirmed the previously proposed date of the phase.In the second phase of occupation of the site, the Roman fort shrunk, the eastern side being withdraw about 60 meters westward. The area studied by excavation became very likely an area of handicraft, yet not very consistent.

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