In 2008, a hoard of bronze coins (19 pieces) was discovered during archaeological excavations of ... more In 2008, a hoard of bronze coins (19 pieces) was discovered during archaeological excavations of the Viminacium amphitheatre. It consists of 11 pieces of Julian and 8 pieces of Jovian, dated into the period from the year 361 to February 364. It was discovered in the Late Roman layer that filled the amphitheatre. Along with other archaeological finds, this hoard also indicates that during the middle of the 4 th century, the amphitheatre was no longer in use for performing spectacles.
During the excavations of Viminacium in 2016, a red deer tibia, with what seemed like a trauma ca... more During the excavations of Viminacium in 2016, a red deer tibia, with what seemed like a trauma caused by a weapon, was found in the vicinity of the amphitheatre. Consequently, the aim of this research was to determine whether that was the case and to attempt to reconstruct the potential hunting moment. The analysis of the wound suggested that the animal was hit from its right side with a deltoid or leaf-type long-range weapon, such as throwing spears or arrows. The irregular shape of the trauma on the lateral side of the bone was due to the socket that went through it along with the tip of the weapon. Since this wound is located just beneath the knee of the deer, it would not have been enough to kill the animal instantly, but there are no indications of any bone healing, which leads to an assumption of multiple hits, and thus multiple huntsmen involved in the hunt, which was a common practice. There is also a possibility that this particular animal took part in a venatio, that is, the beast hunt in the arena, since it was found in a trench related to the amphitheatre, alongside a large number of other wild animals, which undoubtedly participated in the spectacles.
ROMAN ANIMALS IN RITUAL AND FUNERARY CONTEXTS (eds. Sabine Deschler-Erb, Umberto Albarella, Silvia Valenzuela Lamas, Gabriele Rasbach), 2021
In the course of excavations at the arena of the abandoned Viminacium amphitheatre (Serbia), with... more In the course of excavations at the arena of the abandoned Viminacium amphitheatre (Serbia), within the broader area of the late Roman graveyard, a deposit has been discovered of a multiple dog burial that dates back to the 2nd half of the 4th century AD. Archaeozoological and taphonomic studies of dog remains have revealed that at least 13 partial dog carcasses of both puppies and adult dogs of different phenotypes had been jointly buried, after possible roasting and carcass processing. By corroborating archaeological, archaeozoological, ancient text data, as well as similar instances of dog burials from the Roman world, a number of potential interpretations of the deposit have been arrived at, from ritual sacrifices to chthonic deities, all the way to the functional slaughter, or some kind of combination of the two.
Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining information about physical objects and ... more Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining information about physical objects and the environment using 2D photographs. Recent technological advancements allowed the method to become accessible and quite valuable in the studies of cultural heritage. The method was introduced into the field procedures of archaeological research of Viminacium in 2012. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the usage of photogrammetry during investigations of the amphitheatre and to exemplify its applicability and benefits for future archaeological excavations. Based on our experience, the method proved to be easy to use and incorporate into existing procedures, especially as it was significantly faster and economical compared to the traditional documenting techniques. Obtained 3D models can fulfill various needs, from the creation of regular archaeological documentation to the visualization and presentation of the results of research.
Aktuelna interdiscplinarna istraživanja tehnologije u arheologiji jugoistočne Evrope / Prvi skup Sekcije za arheometriju, arheotehnologiju, geoarheologiju i eksperimentalnu arheologiju Srpskog arheološkog društva, 28. februar 2020, 2020
Rad predstavlja preliminarne rezultate mineraloško-petrološka analize opeka sa žigom VII Klaudije... more Rad predstavlja preliminarne rezultate mineraloško-petrološka analize opeka sa žigom VII Klaudijeve legije. Ispitano je 10 opeka različitog formata (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) pronađenih tokom novih istraživanja legijskog utvrđenja koje se nalazi na lokalitetu Čair – Castrum u Viminacijumu. Svrha ove preliminarne analize jeste karakterizacija materijala, s ciljem da se stekne prvi uvid u karakteristike materijala i napravi osnova na kojoj će se dalje planirati i realizovati ona istraživanja koja će kompletirati sliku o opekarskoj delatnosti VII Klaudijeve legije. Svi prikazani rezultati dobijeni su primenom sledećih metoda: polarizacione mikroskopije za linearno-polarisanu svetlost (PM), skenirajuće mikroskopije sa energetsko-disperzivnim spektrometrom (SEM-EDS) i rendgenske difrakcije na prahu (X-ray powder diffraction - XRPD).
The paper presents the preliminary results of the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of bricks and tiles of the Legio VII Claudia. The analysis includes ten bricks and tiles of various formats (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) discovered during the recent archaeological excavations of the legionary camp, located on the site Čair – Castrum in Viminacium. The purpose of the preliminary analysis is the characterization of the material, with the goal of gaining insight into the characteristics of the material and obtaining the base on which to plan further research of the bricks and tile production of the Legio VII Claudia. The given results were obtained by using the following methods: polarized-light microscopy (PM), scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).
The paper presents the results of archaezoological analysis of fish remains from three locations ... more The paper presents the results of archaezoological analysis of fish remains from three locations at Viminacium (the Amphitheatre, Nad Klepečkom and Pirivoj), discussed jointly with finds of fishing equipment and relevant written sources on the subject. Albeit small and biased due to the hand-collection of animal bones, the fish faunal assemblage from Vimincium provides valuable data on the choice of exploited species, fishing and fish transportation practices, and patterns of consumption and deposition in the city and its surroundings. In addition to remains of locally available freshwater fish, occurring at all three sites, the Amphitheatre sample contained the remains of large anadromous sturgeons, possibly obtained from the downstream, Iron Gates area. Their size, contextual provenance, as well as their exceptional status according to written sources, indicates that there had been notable differences in access to high-quality fish among the different social classes at Viminacium.
Columna Traiani – Traianssäule Siegesmonument und Kriegsbericht in Bildern Beiträge der Tagung in Wien anlässlich des 1900. Jahrestages der Einweihung, 9.–12. Mai 2013, Wien 2017, 87–94
Close to the bone: current studies in bone technologies, Belgrade 2016, 66–70
Among faunal material from the Roman city of Viminacium, two peculiarly marked cattle bones, a ma... more Among faunal material from the Roman city of Viminacium, two peculiarly marked cattle bones, a mandible and a distal metatarsal bone, were noted. The surfaces of the bones were covered with regular rows of triangular marks – a characteristic use wear marks which, according to recent ethnographic studies, identify bones used as anvils to create teeth on blades of iron sickles. Based on the context of the find it was possible to date both finds back to the late Roman period, i.e. to the 4th century AD. It is notable that a large number of known bone anvils date back from the Middle ages to the modern times and that they are mostly found in the western Mediterranean region. As the Roman period bone anvils were only recorded in the north-western coast of the Black sea, and there is a single find in Southern Italy, specimens from Viminacium certainly complement these finds in Europe. In this paper we will discuss the process of making and utilizing Viminacium bone anvils: from the butchers’ to the blacksmiths’.
In 2008, a hoard of bronze coins (19 pieces) was discovered during archaeological excavations of ... more In 2008, a hoard of bronze coins (19 pieces) was discovered during archaeological excavations of the Viminacium amphitheatre. It consists of 11 pieces of Julian and 8 pieces of Jovian, dated into the period from the year 361 to February 364. It was discovered in the Late Roman layer that filled the amphitheatre. Along with other archaeological finds, this hoard also indicates that during the middle of the 4 th century, the amphitheatre was no longer in use for performing spectacles.
During the excavations of Viminacium in 2016, a red deer tibia, with what seemed like a trauma ca... more During the excavations of Viminacium in 2016, a red deer tibia, with what seemed like a trauma caused by a weapon, was found in the vicinity of the amphitheatre. Consequently, the aim of this research was to determine whether that was the case and to attempt to reconstruct the potential hunting moment. The analysis of the wound suggested that the animal was hit from its right side with a deltoid or leaf-type long-range weapon, such as throwing spears or arrows. The irregular shape of the trauma on the lateral side of the bone was due to the socket that went through it along with the tip of the weapon. Since this wound is located just beneath the knee of the deer, it would not have been enough to kill the animal instantly, but there are no indications of any bone healing, which leads to an assumption of multiple hits, and thus multiple huntsmen involved in the hunt, which was a common practice. There is also a possibility that this particular animal took part in a venatio, that is, the beast hunt in the arena, since it was found in a trench related to the amphitheatre, alongside a large number of other wild animals, which undoubtedly participated in the spectacles.
ROMAN ANIMALS IN RITUAL AND FUNERARY CONTEXTS (eds. Sabine Deschler-Erb, Umberto Albarella, Silvia Valenzuela Lamas, Gabriele Rasbach), 2021
In the course of excavations at the arena of the abandoned Viminacium amphitheatre (Serbia), with... more In the course of excavations at the arena of the abandoned Viminacium amphitheatre (Serbia), within the broader area of the late Roman graveyard, a deposit has been discovered of a multiple dog burial that dates back to the 2nd half of the 4th century AD. Archaeozoological and taphonomic studies of dog remains have revealed that at least 13 partial dog carcasses of both puppies and adult dogs of different phenotypes had been jointly buried, after possible roasting and carcass processing. By corroborating archaeological, archaeozoological, ancient text data, as well as similar instances of dog burials from the Roman world, a number of potential interpretations of the deposit have been arrived at, from ritual sacrifices to chthonic deities, all the way to the functional slaughter, or some kind of combination of the two.
Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining information about physical objects and ... more Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining information about physical objects and the environment using 2D photographs. Recent technological advancements allowed the method to become accessible and quite valuable in the studies of cultural heritage. The method was introduced into the field procedures of archaeological research of Viminacium in 2012. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the usage of photogrammetry during investigations of the amphitheatre and to exemplify its applicability and benefits for future archaeological excavations. Based on our experience, the method proved to be easy to use and incorporate into existing procedures, especially as it was significantly faster and economical compared to the traditional documenting techniques. Obtained 3D models can fulfill various needs, from the creation of regular archaeological documentation to the visualization and presentation of the results of research.
Aktuelna interdiscplinarna istraživanja tehnologije u arheologiji jugoistočne Evrope / Prvi skup Sekcije za arheometriju, arheotehnologiju, geoarheologiju i eksperimentalnu arheologiju Srpskog arheološkog društva, 28. februar 2020, 2020
Rad predstavlja preliminarne rezultate mineraloško-petrološka analize opeka sa žigom VII Klaudije... more Rad predstavlja preliminarne rezultate mineraloško-petrološka analize opeka sa žigom VII Klaudijeve legije. Ispitano je 10 opeka različitog formata (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) pronađenih tokom novih istraživanja legijskog utvrđenja koje se nalazi na lokalitetu Čair – Castrum u Viminacijumu. Svrha ove preliminarne analize jeste karakterizacija materijala, s ciljem da se stekne prvi uvid u karakteristike materijala i napravi osnova na kojoj će se dalje planirati i realizovati ona istraživanja koja će kompletirati sliku o opekarskoj delatnosti VII Klaudijeve legije. Svi prikazani rezultati dobijeni su primenom sledećih metoda: polarizacione mikroskopije za linearno-polarisanu svetlost (PM), skenirajuće mikroskopije sa energetsko-disperzivnim spektrometrom (SEM-EDS) i rendgenske difrakcije na prahu (X-ray powder diffraction - XRPD).
The paper presents the preliminary results of the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of bricks and tiles of the Legio VII Claudia. The analysis includes ten bricks and tiles of various formats (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) discovered during the recent archaeological excavations of the legionary camp, located on the site Čair – Castrum in Viminacium. The purpose of the preliminary analysis is the characterization of the material, with the goal of gaining insight into the characteristics of the material and obtaining the base on which to plan further research of the bricks and tile production of the Legio VII Claudia. The given results were obtained by using the following methods: polarized-light microscopy (PM), scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).
The paper presents the results of archaezoological analysis of fish remains from three locations ... more The paper presents the results of archaezoological analysis of fish remains from three locations at Viminacium (the Amphitheatre, Nad Klepečkom and Pirivoj), discussed jointly with finds of fishing equipment and relevant written sources on the subject. Albeit small and biased due to the hand-collection of animal bones, the fish faunal assemblage from Vimincium provides valuable data on the choice of exploited species, fishing and fish transportation practices, and patterns of consumption and deposition in the city and its surroundings. In addition to remains of locally available freshwater fish, occurring at all three sites, the Amphitheatre sample contained the remains of large anadromous sturgeons, possibly obtained from the downstream, Iron Gates area. Their size, contextual provenance, as well as their exceptional status according to written sources, indicates that there had been notable differences in access to high-quality fish among the different social classes at Viminacium.
Columna Traiani – Traianssäule Siegesmonument und Kriegsbericht in Bildern Beiträge der Tagung in Wien anlässlich des 1900. Jahrestages der Einweihung, 9.–12. Mai 2013, Wien 2017, 87–94
Close to the bone: current studies in bone technologies, Belgrade 2016, 66–70
Among faunal material from the Roman city of Viminacium, two peculiarly marked cattle bones, a ma... more Among faunal material from the Roman city of Viminacium, two peculiarly marked cattle bones, a mandible and a distal metatarsal bone, were noted. The surfaces of the bones were covered with regular rows of triangular marks – a characteristic use wear marks which, according to recent ethnographic studies, identify bones used as anvils to create teeth on blades of iron sickles. Based on the context of the find it was possible to date both finds back to the late Roman period, i.e. to the 4th century AD. It is notable that a large number of known bone anvils date back from the Middle ages to the modern times and that they are mostly found in the western Mediterranean region. As the Roman period bone anvils were only recorded in the north-western coast of the Black sea, and there is a single find in Southern Italy, specimens from Viminacium certainly complement these finds in Europe. In this paper we will discuss the process of making and utilizing Viminacium bone anvils: from the butchers’ to the blacksmiths’.
2nd ICAZ Roman Period Working Group Meeting Basel - Animals in funeral and ritual context, 2018
Aside from the practical role the dogs had in the Roman world, their symbolic and ritual aspects ... more Aside from the practical role the dogs had in the Roman world, their symbolic and ritual aspects were exceptional. Dogs were considered as companions to the Underworld of human spirits, but also as beings with special powers, especially healing ones. They were companions of ancient deities, such as Artemis/Diana and their sacrificing was used in rituals dedicated to the gods, mostly chtonic ones. Dog skeletal remains from archaeological sites are the most direct evidence of dog usage and human-dog interrelationships in the past. Although it is challenging to confirm the usage of animals in rituals at archaeological sites, deposits of animal skeletons with specific features could be attributed to rites. In this paper we present a few contexts from the area of the Roman city of Viminacium, which could be linked to dog sacrificing: a pit from the area of the Roman amphitheater, with a common burial of at least 12 dogs, and also several specific contexts with individually buried dogs and common burials of dogs and horses. According to archaeozoological data (taphonomy, biometry, pathology, butchering marks) and archaeological context of Viminacium finds, and also indirect evidence, such as ancient texts and iconographic data, we will study different aspects and forms of dog offerings in the Roman world.
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and taphonomic studies of dog remains have revealed that at least 13 partial dog carcasses of both puppies and adult dogs of different phenotypes had been jointly buried, after possible roasting and carcass processing. By corroborating archaeological, archaeozoological, ancient text data, as well as similar instances of dog burials from the Roman world, a number of potential interpretations of the deposit have been arrived at, from ritual sacrifices to chthonic deities, all the way to the functional slaughter, or some kind of combination of the two.
The paper presents the preliminary results of the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of bricks and tiles of the Legio VII Claudia. The analysis includes ten bricks and tiles of various formats (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) discovered during the recent archaeological excavations of the legionary camp, located on the site Čair – Castrum in Viminacium. The purpose of the preliminary analysis is the characterization of the material, with the goal of gaining insight into the characteristics of the material and obtaining the base on which to plan further research of the bricks and tile production of the Legio VII Claudia. The given results were obtained by using the following methods: polarized-light microscopy (PM), scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).
and taphonomic studies of dog remains have revealed that at least 13 partial dog carcasses of both puppies and adult dogs of different phenotypes had been jointly buried, after possible roasting and carcass processing. By corroborating archaeological, archaeozoological, ancient text data, as well as similar instances of dog burials from the Roman world, a number of potential interpretations of the deposit have been arrived at, from ritual sacrifices to chthonic deities, all the way to the functional slaughter, or some kind of combination of the two.
The paper presents the preliminary results of the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of bricks and tiles of the Legio VII Claudia. The analysis includes ten bricks and tiles of various formats (lydion, bessalis, pedalis, imbrex, tegula…) discovered during the recent archaeological excavations of the legionary camp, located on the site Čair – Castrum in Viminacium. The purpose of the preliminary analysis is the characterization of the material, with the goal of gaining insight into the characteristics of the material and obtaining the base on which to plan further research of the bricks and tile production of the Legio VII Claudia. The given results were obtained by using the following methods: polarized-light microscopy (PM), scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).