Tradiţii şi contacte culturale în nordul Munteniei în epoca eneolitică: despre siturile de la Mălăieştii de Jos (jud. Prahova), Seciu (jud. Prahova) ş

Author(s): Alin Frânculeasa / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

Northern Wallachia is a hilly area crossed by rivers with varying flows and is bounded on the north by the Carpathian Mountains and on the south by the piemont plain. Eneolithic sites have been discovered on small terraces or at the base of the valleys of some secondary rivers but rarely on hills. These sites have simple (horizontal) or more complicated (vertical) stratigraphies. A habitation model that is generally applicable has not yet been identified. Research in this area has defined the Gumelniţa-Ariuşd and Aldeni II cultural sequence and, following publication, the concept of the Stoicani-Aldeni culture has emerged. This is defined as a cultural mixing of Gumelniţa, Precucuteni and Cucuteni. It is present in northern Wallachia and southern Moldavia and also in southern Basarabia. One theory promotes the local character of Stoicani-Aldeni with early Gumelniţa origins. Since 2000 some research projects have studied evidence for Stoicani-Aldeni at archaeological sites including Mălăieştii de Jos, Apostolache, Seciu and Boboci in Prahova county and Coţatcu in Buzău county. The most important research contributions are from Mălăieştii de Jos, Coţatcu and Seciu. Based on archaeological material from these three sites we will discuss their character and consider the local cultural context.

STARČEVO - CRIŞ POTTERY FROM TELEOR 003, S ROMANIA

Author(s): Thissen Laurens / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

This paper provides a summary of my work on a pottery sample from the S Romanian site TELEOR 003 (Măgura ‘Buduiasca’, Teleorman county), focusing on technological and morphological aspects. The material dates to the Starčevo-Criş period, about 58th century cal BC. The analysis suggests we are dealing with a coherent and sophisticated ceramic assemblage in technological and categorical terms, implying a solid manufacturing tradition able to produce vessels differing in outlook and function, but unified in fabric, surface treatments, vessel build-up, and form concept.

Ceramica din locuinţa nr.5 de la Sultana ‘Malu Roşu’. Analiză primară (I)

Author(s): Madalina Voicu,Radian Andreescu,Ignat Theodor,Vasile OPRIŞ,Cătălin Lazăr / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

This paper explains and applies a statistical analysis approach for the study of a representative pottery group. Pottery from dwelling no. 5 at Sultana ‘Malu Roşu’ is used as a case study. The results show a number of specific features for the examined complex and by using the same methodological criteria comparisons with other similar (dwellings) or different (rubbish areas, foundation ditches) complexes are possible.

Locuințele așezărilor din Muntenia în secolele VIII-X

Author(s): Bogdan Ciupercă / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

The characteristics of structures for dwelling or other functions dating to the VIIIX centuries is an important area of research. This study presents the sum of knowledge of the identified and investigated structures interpreted as dwellings or household annexes in settlements of the VIII-X centuries. To date 325 dwellings or buildings have been indexed: 203 pit dwellings; 82 surface dwellings; 26 pit-huts dwellings; 6 of non specific type; and 8 unique structures - 5 buildings and 3 knezes fortifications from Slon, Prahova county. Analysis of the surface or pit dwellings is conditioned by a minimal set of data: planimetry; depth; foundation and wall types; location of fireplace facilities; and other specific elements or household facilities. The construction techniques of surface dwellings are less known than those of pit houses. This is in part influenced by the preservation of surface dwellings The construction of pit houses differs from that of surface dwellings mainly because a part of the house is dug into the ground. Pit house construction implies a different type of technical thought; builders must find solutions for many issues including water infiltration, rainwater removal, and roof fixing. The below ground part of a pit dwelling is the best preserved, and, if not disturbed by later interventions, can be clearly revealed through archaeological investigation. Dwelling facilities during the VIII-X centuries are not spectacular, perhaps because the living space is quite small. This fact might help explain the relationships between inhabitants and household areas. It is very likely the dwellings are just shelters for use overnight and during unfavorable weather with most of the family or community activities taking place outside. The main domestic feature is the fireplace facility having two functions: food preparation and heating. Another component of the dwellings is the entrance, complete with its various facilities such as steps and passages. Other domestic features of the dwellings are benches, used as sleeping spaces ('beds') or as storage for pottery, and various pits of undetermined meaning and utility. It is very likely there were other facilities made of perishable materials, wood for example, that have not been preserved.

Was there a death gesture during early iron age? A new meaning for the ‘Warrior from Capestrano’

Author(s): Alexandra Ghenghea / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

As one of the many examples of anthropomorphic stelae from the Early Iron Age, the famous ‘warrior from Capestrano’ has initiated many questions in archaeological literature. Since its discovery, many theories have been formulated to explain its monumental construction. The typical gesture of this stela is analysed together with other similar examples from the Early Iron Age in a discussion which includes the dichotomy of right/left in an attempt to understand its funerary meaning. The recurrence of this gesture in anthropomorphic sculptures, mainly from Italy, is also discussed.

Tezaurul de la Brânceni, jud. Teleorman, un tezaur medieval cu monede şi podoabe

Author(s): Ecaterina Ţânţăreanu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

A medieval hoard discovered at Brânceni village entered into the care of the Teleorman County Museum in 1966. The mixed hoard contains 105 coins and 7 items of jewellery. The coins were produced between the last decade of the XVth century and the middle of the XVIIth by central European states and by the Ottoman Empire and their burial may have been during the agitated circumstances of the Seimeni revolt (1653-1655). The inventory of adornments consists of clothing accessories and jewellery made with the filigree and granulating technique that had a period of maximum circulation from the XVIth century until the middle of the XVIIth century. The clothing accessories consist of three veil pins with spherical heads and a button all gilded silver and originating from a Transylvanian workhouse, two silver filigree polyhedral shaped earrings, and a gilded silver ring originating perhaps from a Walachian or Moldavian workhouse.

Restituiri: Emil Moscalu, Raport asupra săpăturilor arheologice de la Orbeasca de Sus,comuna Orbeasca, judeţul Teleorman

Author(s): Ion Pătraşcu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

This paper reports on excavations coordinated by Emil Moscalu at the early Iron Age settlement at Orbeasca de Sus ‘Sat’, Teleorman County. A systematic excavation was conducted in 1988 on an area of 405 m2. Nine sections of 30 meters in length and 1.5 meters wide were excavated. A 25-30 cm thick cultural layer contains potsherds and vessels dating to an early phase of the first Iron Age. Basarabi type pottery fragments were also encountered

Un capac cu mâner antropo-zoomorf descoperit la Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’, jud. Teleorman

Author(s): Katia Moldoveanu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

This paper presents a special artefact discovered at Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’ tell settlement. The artefact is a lid with an anthropo-zoomorphic handle and is an extremely rare find at Gumelniţa culture settlements. The lid might be associated with a cultic theme.

Piese de tipul ‘coarne de consecraţie’ descoperite în aşezările Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’ (jud. Teleorman) şi Surduleşti (jud. Argeş)

Author(s): Ion Torcică / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

The ‘horns of consecration’ are a special type of Gumelniţa material culture discovered in the early 20th century in tell settlements at Gumelniţa, Căscioarele and Sultana. 24 pieces presented in this article were discovered at Vităneşti ‘Măgurice’ tell settlement, Teleorman county (in levels A2 and B1). An additional object comes from Surduleşti, Argeş county. These objects are small in size and can be classified into two types based on shape: those with folded side horns and those with straight branches. In the Romanian literature they have been interpreted as representations of bulls and considered the personification of a masculine god. This interpretation of the ‘horns of consecration’ from the Romanian Neo-Eneolithic is similar to interpretations by researchers of Bronze Age cultures from Greece. Comparison of the archaeological context of the discoveries and their interpretations leads to some interesting points. The objects appear during the two periods in which construction models interpreted as sanctuaries also appear. They are also connected with the representation of the female goddesses. There are strong similarities with the bull’s horns and they could be interpreted as votive gifts. Human figurines placed between the horns of the bull or ‘horns of consecration’ are encountered in both periods. These similarities suggest the existence of an identical religious symbolism for these objects

Un sceptru cruciform descoperit la Traian ‘Dealul Fântânilor’ (jud. Neamţ)

Author(s): Roxana Munteanu,Daniel Garvan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2012

A fragment of an eared-type mace was recently found in the collections of the History and Archaeology Museum at Piatra-Neamt. The artefact originates from Traian ‘Dealul Fântânilor’, a Cucuteni A-B settlement. Only three other such maces are known from the Romanian territory of Moldova with all found in uncertain contexts. The recently ‘rediscovered’ mace contributes to the re-interpretation of cultural relationships and influences during the Chalcolithic period. The presence of eared-type maces in larger numbers in Transylvania is attributed to a population of steppe origin: the architects of the Decea Mureşului necropolis. The maces from Moldova are considered the result of contact with eastern tribes. The stone artefact from Traian is later in date than the Decea Mureşului cemetery confirming that eared-type maces reached the area west of the Prut River during a broad time span (perhaps the whole of the Chalcolithic).

Бележки върху копирането на скулптурата през римската епоха

Author(s): Marina Koleva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 8/2013

The article deals with certain specifics of copying of sculptures in the Roman period, giving examples from Bulgarian lands. These examples suggest that types of Greek classical sculpture in the broadest sense of the term have obviously been popular and easily understandable to the societies both in the capital and the provinces in Roman period. As for the copies, our provinces have their natural place within the provinces of the Roman Empire, keeping up with the trends, choices and tastes of those days and with the popular at the time types in the capital and the rest of the provinces occur on a regular basis in Upper and Lower Moesiaand Thrace.

Типология на капителите в митрополитския храм „Св. първоапостоли Петър и Павел“ при Велико Търново

Author(s): Plamen Petrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 8/2013

The column (base, shaft and capital) in its functional wholeness as a decorative and supporting element has been a subject of special attention in Christian exegesis and canon. Columns have been assigned an important semiotic role by the biblical texts, which the master builders of the new Christian capital city, Constantinople would materialize in the church buildings, buildings that had not been just places of worship but rather the topos where the earth meets the netherworld: a temple is a gateway of a kind to knowledge of the unknowable. Hence, Byzantine οἰκοδόμοι (builders/architects) would design columns as a materialized idea of the Tree of Life. Column would become that pillar on which the entire universes rested, the pillar that ensured the vertical elevation of the earthly home to God. The metropolitan Church of “SS Peter and Paul” in Veliko Tyrnovo has been subject to consideration in a number of publications, but still there is no a thorough study of its six capitals, which have been incorporated in its interior. This paper is the first to define each of the capitals in terns of its type referring to a particular typological framework. Replicas of some of the capitals have been found across Bulgarian lands with two capitals from the first two capital cities of Bulgaria, Pliska and Preslav among those.

Една балканска иновация в декоративната украса на храмовете, иконите и стенописите от ХVІІ – ХVІІІ век

Author(s): Svetla Moskova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 8/2013

The explorations in this paper were induced by icons, dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth century and originating from Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and Greece, the decoration of which suggests common Balkan trends, inspired by Western influences related to the European Baroque, but also to the medieval Byzantine tradition. These are usually representations of saints against richly ornamented sculptured golden backgrounds. The paper features examples of these icons helping to devise my not that ingenious idea of an uninterrupted relation of the Orthodox icon-painters, who have left over time invaluable heritage in Balkan Christian churches as a result of an extensive programme of a kind carried out with verve in the churches within the specified territory. Apart from the icons presented herein, a number of Balkan murals will be broached, where the decoration of the backgrounds of the icons has been transferred onto the wall paintings of many churches. The main aspect of the study is a comparative characteristic of Bulgarian cultural heritage.

Абстрактен образ в светските стенописи и мозайки в България от 80-те години на ХХ век и началото на ХХІ век

Author(s): Anelia Alexandrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 8/2013

An abstract image features notions, existing in thought but not detectable by the senses, i.e. it is a figment of the imagination. It coexists and/or builds a provisional space. Its modifications are: geometric or associative abstract images. A geometric abstract image is based on geometric figures and spatial shapes. It is a universal image used both in the Socialist Era and later. It is favoured by muralists due to its nature, as it lends informative and stylistic universality to their works.

Имагинерният и приказен свят на скулптора Александър Иванов

Author(s): Nadia Medneva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 8/2013

Sculptor Alexander Ivanov was born in Gabrovo, in 1958. He graduated from Triavna Woodcarving School in 1977 and in Sculpture from the University of Veliko Tyrnovo in 1984 in Prof. Marov’s classes. He lives in Lovech. The paper presents some of the significant exhibitions of the first two decades of his career of a sculptor that were of conceptual nature. Attention is given to the most ingenious and specific of his manner imaginary organic forms and the conceptual ground for their creation is analysed. His participations in Bulgarian and international wood sculpture symposia are brought to the fore.

CARTEA VECHE ŞI STRUCTURA ACESTEIA. RESTAURAREA COPERŢILOR DIN PIELE

Author(s): Alexandru Ştirban / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2000

The restauration of the leather covers implies Knowing everything about the art of binding the books and about the materials specific features and the processing way. Also, are needed Knowledge about old binding techniques, old styles used in certaines times and geagraphical arias. The description of the book’s structure, the registor of the sewing’s sisthem, the tab’s form, the capital-band, are essential elements which should be Kept in mind at the restoration of the old book ties. For making a correct treatment, identifing the tannins, the way of tanned the leather, the type of the adornment, are very important aspects.

RESTAURAREA PIESEI “ACOPERĂMÂNT LITURGIC” - SEC. XIX

Author(s): Sorina Voju / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2000

Un objet de musée - d’autrefois bénéficier de l’église orthodoxe il a nécessité un complexe procédé de restauration, à cause d’une erronée conservation. La restauration a été très difficile à cause de finesse de pièce. Par l’effet de la restauration l’aspect et l’état de conservation de ce toit liturgique ont été amélioré.

CONSIDERAŢII TEHNICE PRIVIND RESTAURAREA UNUI VAS DIN EPOCA FIERULUI

Author(s): Daniela Ciugudean / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2000

L’étude présente les phases technologiques du processus de la restauration d’un vase bitronconique découvert dans l’habitat fortifié de Teleac (dép. d’Alba). Après la nettoyage des tessons et l’assemblage des fragments céramiques on a recours a une armature métallique pour un meilleur renforcement du vase. La tâche du réseau en métal a été le soulegement de la reconstitution en plâtre des lacunes considérables, aussi bien que l’augmentation de la résistance du récipient. Du point de vue historique, l’unicité de ce vase noir lustré, décoré avec des cannelures et de quatre boutons hypertrophiés, consiste dans le fond vide à l’intérieur, de type “umbo”, qui cache huit formations sphériques en pierre. Cette particularité nous mene à conclure sur une destination cultuelle de ce récipient singulier sur le territoire de la Roumanie.

CONSERVAREA PREVENTIVĂ A MANUSCRISELOR MINIATE PE PERGAMENT

Author(s): Sofia Ştirban / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2000

The manuscripts and the documents written on parchment are made from a large assortment of materials, each one very specifically. Because of those specific features, the preventiv conservation asks for special measures, suitables for parchment, colours and pigments, animal and vegetal glue, white of egg etc. Each one those materials has specific structures and features, that make then to react in a certain way at the environment factors. The parchment is an hygroscopic material, which can give away or absorb almost any quantify of water. The dryness lead to the modifing of its form and to the detachment of the pigments, and the dampness turn the material into a parchment glue, and colours and pigments will ireversible change. In unfavourable microclimate conditions, the parchment or the pigments (glue or white of egg) can be attacked by the microorganismes. We, also, can forget the human action.

Cup-Marked Stones in Estonia

Author(s): Andres Tvauri / Language(s): English Issue: 11/1999