The capabilities of satellite remote sensing technologies and their derived data for the analysis of archaeological sites have been demonstrated in a large variety of studies over the last decades. Likewise, the Earth Observation (EO) data contribute to the disaster management process through the provision of updated information for areas under investigation. In addition, long term studies may be performed for the in–depth analysis of the disaster–prone areas using archive satellite imagery and other cartographic materials. Hence, satellite remote sensing represents an essential tool for the study of hazards in cultural heritage sites and landscapes. Depending on the size of the archaeological sites and considering the fact that some parts of the site might be covered, the main concern regards the suitability of satellite data in terms of spatial and spectral resolution. Using a multi–temporal Sentinel–2 dataset between 2016 and 2019, the present study focuses on the hazard risk identification for the Micia and Germisara archaeological sites in Romania as they are endangered by industrialisation and major infrastructure works and soil erosion, respectively. Furthermore, the study includes a performance assessment of remote sensing vegetation indices for the detection of buried structures. The results clearly indicate that Sentinel–2 imagery proved to be fundamental in meeting the objectives of the study, particularly due to the extensive archaeological knowledge that was available for the cultural heritage sites. The main conclusion to be drawn is that satellite–derived products may be enhanced by integrating valuable archaeological context, especially when the resolution of satellite data is not ideally fitting the peculiarities (e.g., in terms of size, underground structures, type of coverage) of the investigated cultural heritage sites.

The large number of isolated towers scattered in different spots of the hill on which the Dacian fortress at Blidaru was built intrigued the archaeologists right from the beginning of the excavations. In recent campaigns 4 of the 17 towers known until today were tested and some interesting construction details were observed. This paper presents an overview of the main results, a second one is meant to be soon published, dealing with the archaeology and history of the Blidaru fortress in the light of recent excavations. This first part comprises only a short presentation of the fortress itself, of the cisterns and of the temples found there during the excavations.

Rescue archaeological excavations took place in the summer of 2014 at the multi-period site of Bălata-Schit, Șoimuș commune, Hunedoara County, adding to the existing information on one of the most important sites on the Mureș Valley. Amongst the numerous discoveries, fragments from at least two bronze cauldrons were uncovered. The morphological characteristics, especially the cross-shaped handles decorated with geometric patterns, indicate their dating in the final stage of Ha B2, as also suggested by other analogies in Transylvania. The vessels belong to the categories Merhardt B1 and B2a. The bronze recipients from Bălata reveal an unknown chapter in the archaeology of the Early Iron Age in southwestern Transylvania, offering new data on the spirituality of the respective times.

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Dacians, Sarmizegetusa Regia, painted pottery, stamped decoration, cooking ware. Abstract: This paper aims to identify the Mediterranean and Celtic influences in the Dacian pottery from Sarmizegetusa Regia. The imitated or influenced vessels correspond mainly to tableware and storage jars, while cooking ware tends to belong to a local cultural layer, in regards to morphology and technology. Late Hellenistic and Roman technical influences used by the Dacian craftsmen are: slip, painting and stamped decoration. Laboratory analyses showed that both in the cases of tableware and kitchen pottery, the “recipes” used by the potters working in the ceramic workshops on the Grădişte Hill were practically identical.