Early Neolithic communities penetrated in southwestern Transylvania and were established in the Mureș Valley where they found suitable territories for domestic animal herds and probably plant cultivation. The present study tries to answer questions related to the beginnings of the neolithisation in this area, from an interdisciplinary perspective, valuing archeozoologically and archeobotanically the Starčevo-Criș site of Soimuș-Teleghi (Hunedoara County), dating to the 7th–6th millennium BC. Animal skeletal remains and phytoliths are the proxies analysed in this paper, offering data about the palaeoeconomy and palaeoenvironment of the Early Neolithic settlement. In the archaeozoological samples, the remains coming from domestic mammals are the most frequent, being identified as cattle (Bos taurus), sheep/goat (Ovis aries/Capra hircus), pig (Sus domesticus), and dog (Canis familiaris). The fact that pig remains are almost absent in the samples is significant, suggesting a mobility of the evaluated communities. The skeletal remains of wild mammal species are rare, belonging to red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), aurochs (Bos primigenius), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and polecat (Mustela putorius). The strong dominance of grasses is attested through the phytoliths’ assemblages. ELONGATE DENDRITIC phytoliths are well represented. This morphotype, which originates from the inflorescence or the husk of Poaceae, is most likely derived from cultivated plants (cereals such as wheat, barley, etc.). Archaeozoological and archaeobotanical data resulting from this study suggest an open environment around the Early Neolithic settlement, where communities of the Starčevo-Criș culture mainly raised herds of cattle and sheep/goat. Sporadically, hunting and gathering molluscs were practised by the inhabitants, as indicated by archaeozoological results.

Southeast Europe has played an important role in shaping the genetic diversity of sheep due to its proximity to the Danubian route of transport from the Near East into Europe, as well as its possible role as a post-domestication migration network and long tradition of sheep breeding. The history of Romania and, in particular, the historical province of Dobruja, located on the shore of the Black Sea, has been influenced by its geographical position at the intersection between the great powers of the Near East and mainland Europe, with the Middle Ages being an especially animated time in terms of trade, migration, and conflict. In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial control region of five sheep originating from the Capidava archaeological site (Dobruja, Southeast Romania), radiocarbon dated to the Early Middle Ages (5–10th century AD), in order to better understand the genetic diversity of local sheep populations and human practices in relation to this particular livestock species. The analyses illustrate high haplotype diversity in local medieval sheep, as well as possible genetic continuity in the region. A higher tendency for North to South interaction, rather than East to West, is apparent, together with a lack of interaction along the Asian route. Continuous interaction between the First Bulgarian Empire, which occupied Dobruja starting with the 7th century AD, and the Byzantine Empire is indicated. These results might suggest expanding trade in Southeast Romania in the Early Middle Ages.

This study focused on the measurement of anthropogenic radionuclides such as americium (Am) and plutonium (Pu) in environmental samples. Plutonium isotopes, particularly ${}^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$, ${}^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$, and ${}^{241}\mathrm{Pu}$, originated from nuclear weapons testing, nuclear power plants, and accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi. Accurate measurement of these isotopes, considering their half-lives and trace concentrations, provides critical information about their persistence and environmental transport. Using the 1 MV Tandetron accelerator, we expanded the measurement capabilities to include ${}^{241}\mathrm{Pu}$, ${}^{241}\mathrm{Am}$. Chemical separation of these isotopes was achieved through ion chromatography, employing reference isotopes ${}^{242}\mathrm{Pu}$ and ${}^{243}\mathrm{Am}$ for method validation. Certified reference materials, including IAEA-410 (Bikini Atoll sediment) and Sample 05, were analyzed to ensure accuracy. We validated the ${}^{241}\mathrm{Am}$/${}^{243}\mathrm{Am}$ ratio in an Am standard (IFIN-STD-Am, our laboratory produced standard for Am), achieving a measured value of 0.158 at·at⁻¹ (3%), in good agreement with the nominal value of 0.154 at·at⁻¹. Additionally, we determined the ${(}^{241}\mathrm{Pu}$ + ${}^{241}\mathrm{Am}){/}^{242}\mathrm{Pu}$ ratio in the ColPuS standard to be equal to 0.029 at ·at⁻¹ (7%). These results demonstrate the potential of AMS for improved detection of actinides at low concentrations and contribute to understanding the behavior of Pu and Am isotopes.

The article presents the results of excavations conducted in 2022-2023 at Tumulus no. 8. It was located on the Piscul Fântânilor Hill, approximately 2.5 km south of the village of Cuca, Galați County. It had been heavily affected by agricultural work and, at the time of excavation, preserved a height of 0.40 m above the current ground level. It had an oval shape, measuring 18 × 15 m. The archaeological excavations led to the discovery of three inhumation burials, all located in the southwestern quarter of the tumulus. These had been arranged in successive stages. The novelty of this monument lies in the questions raised by the chronology of the primary burial (2562-2142 calBC). Taking into account contemporary discoveries as well as the limited funerary ritual elements, it could be attributed to at least a very late Yamna horizon or to the early KMK period. Grave no. 2 can be easily attributed to KMK, as the vessel deposited as grave goods and the identified ritual elements have numerous analogies in the North Pontic area. The existing radiocarbon dating indicates a chronological interval (1876-1537 calBC) that confirms the partial overlap of KMK with the Monteoru culture and probably with the beginning of the Noua culture. The most recent grave (no. 3) can be chronologically related to the interval 710-994 calAD. It has numerous analogies in the steppe area of the northwestern Black Sea and may be attributed to the Turanian migratory populations, most likely the Pechenegs attested in this area in the 9th – 11th centuries AD.

This paper discusses three recently discovered fortified sites located in the Subcarpathian area of eastern Romania, investigated through LiDAR scanning and intrusive archaeological research. Chronologically, the fortifications analysed in this study date to the Middle Bronze Age and are attributed to the Costișa culture. The sites are situated in close proximity to one another and may have formed part of a wider defensive system marking the territorial limits of this cultural environment. At the same time, they appear to have held strategic local importance by controlling access routes to areas rich in salt resources. Excavations conducted at one of the sites provided absolute chronological data ranging between 2143–1531 cal BC, correlating well with previously obtained radiocarbon dates for the Costișa culture.

Our aim here is to firstly address the burial dynamics preceding the establishment of the medieval state south of the Carpathians from the view of absolute dating. In order to achieve this undertaking, we have taken samples from burial features spanning a period of more than seven centuries (the 7th–14th century) and delivered these for investigation with several laboratories. From the ‘Avars’ to ‘proto-Bulgarians’, ‘Pechenegs’ to the ‘Late Cumans’, the ‘Mongols’, absolute dates confirm the development of the burial ritual overlapping and interconnecting with information known from historical and/or archaeological sources. Concurrently, deep into nomad/steppe culture, the emergence of the presumed Christian ritual burials inserting into a well-delimited chronological niche, evidences the presence of this burial conduct during the last third of the 1st millennium in the north area of the Wallachian Plain. We note that in discussed area, this ritual is missing during both the period prior to the 8th century but also after the 10th century, circumstances that may be interpreted and correlated to a series of historical events reported by the written sources of the period. The article wishes to plead for the use of radiocarbon dating in the early medieval period archaeology in Romania as well, which should become in fact not only a necessity but also the rule in the scientific process.