The dynamics of prehistoric burial mounds of Ploieşti metropolitan area (Romania) as reflected by cartographic documents of the 18th–20th centuries

Abstract

This paper draws attention to the unexploited potential of cartographic material related to Ploieşti city, Romania, from the oldest reports to the modern. The cartographic document may bring valuable, more often than not original, information in order to improve understandings of behavioural patterns and the evolution of prehistoric communities. The study of the distribution and dynamics of burial mounds (tumuli) associated with the Bronze Age, within the perimeter of Ploieşti city and its metropolitan area, is one of the first applications of this kind of analysis made in Romania, and succeeds in showing the importance of using direct or indirect data from this category of cartographic documents for archaeological studies. Moreover, it demonstrates that, because geosystems and social systems are not static in space and time, a diachronic cartographic study provides the opportunity for a phenomenological focus on the evolutional issues of tumuli – spatiality, boundaries, distances and density.

Information: Another Perspective on Cultural Heritage Management

“…The field of archaeological cultural heritage requires an intersectorial approach and the development of scientific research activities to substantiate the various decisions on how to protect/save. The mounds, as morphological forms with average heights between 1.5-4m, are highlighted in the plain (Ploiești High Plain, Sărata Plain) or its contact area with the sub-Carpathian hills (Frînculeasa et al, 2017), can be approached for rescue/protection either by carrying out archaeological excavations in case they may be affected by economic activities (for example, mineral aggregates, foundation of some constructions, utility routes -gas, water) or by permanent monitoring when it is considered that they are not bothered by what is happening on the surface (for example, crops). Achieving an effective strategy, in this case, involves, as a sine qua non, the promotion of diversified forms of public-private partnerships (Grigorescu, 2008).…”

“…The landscape is similar to that of the Eurasian steppe, located on both sides of the Lower Danube valley, continuing with the Tisza river basin (Frînculeasa et al, 2015;Koledin et al, 2020), has provided a favorable environment for the pastoral economy. Therefore, its presence in the studied area is significant (Frînculeasa et al, 2017;Frînculeasa, 2021). Furthermore, the experience of the authors, especially archaeologist Alin Frînculeasa, in the process of investigating/protecting some archaeological sites in an imminent context of destruction due to the exploitation of the property on which it is located (industrial and residential constructions, exploitation of mineral aggregates, transport infrastructure) it is important.…”

The Yamnaya Impact North of the Lower Danube: A Tale of Newcomers and Locals

“…Estimating their total number seems impossible and those not registered as archaeological sites are continually facing destruction. (1) Systematic mapping studies using old cartographic documents and field surveys are exceptions and only cover small regions, such as northern Muntenia (Frînculeasa et al, 2017a) and Dobruja (Topoleanu et al, 2008;Oltean, 2013). Still, the number of existing mounds is probably closer to several thousand.…”

“…Still, the number of existing mounds is probably closer to several thousand. (2) Of these existing mounds, from the archaeological literature we know of 177 which have been excavated, especially in Moldavia, Muntenia, and Dobruja, fewer in Oltenia, Transylvania and Banat (Table 1), while Crişana is still absent from the picture. They contained a total of 714 burials, but the information they provide is patchy, to say the least, dependent upon factors such as excavation type and period or publication manner.…”