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The paper analyses archaeozoological remains originating from the Noviodunum fortress in South-Eastern Romania, Tulcea County, where archaeological research indicates an extensive civil settlement with Roman and Medieval levels, but also few Getic discoveries. Animal remains are described in terms of their frequencies based on the number of identified specimens and on the minimum number of individuals. The archaeozoological data highlight a preference for domestic mammals (cattle, sheep/goat, pig), but also for wild mammals and fish. A summary of archaeozoological studies in different sites of Noviodunum fortress shows variation in the assemblages. The results of the Principal Component Analysis suggest that in the Roman period cattle was the preferred for consumption, and later, in Middle Ages, sheep/goat sheep was eaten more [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal remains and phytoliths deriving from the Early Neolithic site of Rapoltu Mare-Seghi (Hunedoara County, Romania) are used for obtaining data regarding the palaeoenvironment of a Starčevo-Cris community. Bioarchaeological information in this paper is important considering that the beginning of the neolithization in the southwest Transylvania is still poorly documented. Archaeozoological analysis offers information on the settlement palaeoeconomy and phytoliths are reliable markers for the vegetal environment in this area. The most animal remains come from domestic mammals, especially cattle (Bos taurus) and sheep / goat (Ovis aries / Capra hircus); few remains of dog (Canis familiaris) and wild mammals (aurochs -- Bos primigenius and wild boar -- Sus scrofa) have been also identified. The absence of pig (Sus domesticus) suggests that the Starčevo-Cris community of Rapoltu Mare-Seghi had a high mobility, specific to shepherds. Phytoliths assemblages show the net dominance of grasses, several subfamilies of Poaceae family being attested. ELONGATE DENDRITIC forms are quite well represented, suggesting an anthropogenic accumulation; but it does not just mean that the cereal cultivation was practiced by the Rapoltu Mare-Seghi community. Bioarchaeological data indicate an open environment around the settlement, where people bred especially cattle and sheep/goat flocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoliths and animal remains deriving from the Chalcolithic site of Răucești (Neamț County, Romania) are used for obtaining a set of data regarding the palaeoenvironment and the resources of subsistence that were available for the Cucutenian community from this settlement. The information obtained in this study is very important considering the precarious preservation state of the archaeological site that has been destroyed in a systematic manner due to agrarian works. Phytolith analysis discloses the dominance of spontaneous grasses, but the results also highlight the presence of grains inside the site. Thus, an open environment is delineated around the settlement, an image that is also testified by the archaezoological data. The analysis of animal remains brings in new clues regarding the palaeoeconomy of the settlement: animal husbandry and hunting were practiced by the Cucutenian community of Răucești. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research of pollen, spores, phytoliths and animal remains was performed in the Chalcolithic settlement (Cucuteni culture, Vth-IVth millennia cal B.C.) of Costeşti (Iaşi County, Romania). Archaeobotanical data are correlated with those of archaeozoology in order to achieve an understanding of the site formation processes, the economic and environmental contexts of the Chalcolithic settlement. Palynological analysis testified the presence of deciduous trees such as linden and oak. Willow, alder and birch probably inhabited banks of river whose course goes right near the site. Regarding the herbaceous plants, there were identified both spontaneous taxa and other taxa which could be cultivated. Cereal inflorescence phytoliths have been identified. In the archaeozoological sample, butchering and the manufacturing originated the fragmentation of remains. The majority of animal remains are from domestic mammals, with the predominance of sheep/goat, followed by cattle and pig. The hunting of wild mammals is less important in the food provisioning system; as game species, red deer, wild boar and aurochs are dominant. Harvesting of molluscs is testified by a very small number of remains. According to these data, the economy of the Chalcolithic settlement from Costeşti was based on the plant cultivation and animal husbandry, and also on forest and even aquatic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper aims at presenting and discussing the discovery of Lithospermum officinale L. and Buglossoides purpurocaerulea (L.) I. M. Johnston seeds deposits from archaeological contexts. The nutlets deposits that we discuss here were found in three prehistoric sites belonging to the Cucuteni Culture (Vth-IVth millennia CAL. B.C.): Izvoare-Piatra Neamț (Neamț County), Poduri-Dealul Ghindaru (Bacău County), Frumușica (Neamț County). The two species are used for their anti-inflammatory, contraceptive or antitoxic properties. However, an in-depth contextual analysis of the various discovery contexts belonging to the Cucuteni culture, leading to a differentiation between the known deposits, allows us to explore different meanings of this category of archaeological finds, such as display of social status or involvement in magical/healing rituals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here the results of pollen analysis of one sequence of about 60 cm length, originating from sediments of Hautes-Fagnes peat bogs (Eastern Belgium). 49 pollen spectra reflect the local vegetation evolution and also the evolution of the forestry surroundings. The results of these investigations are correlated to the results of other studies previously carried out in the area. Our data suggests human occupation and intensive land use in the region. Aspects regarding a Roman/Merovingian paved road, at present covered by a layer of peat that can reach 1 m thickness in some places, are also debated in the present paper. The origin and functionality of this paved road have not yet been fully elucidated, despite the studies already performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]