Tudor Hila
University of Bucharest, Geology and Geophysics, Faculty Member
- Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, Lithics, Stone tools, Modern human dispersal, Australian prehistory, and 21 moreIndian Palaeolithic, Neanderthals, 3D Analysis, Neolithic, Settlement & Landscape research, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), gvSIG, Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), Museum Digital, Lithic Raw Material Sourcing, Chert Source Provenance Studies, Raw material Characterization (Chipped Stone), Flint (Archaeology), Raw material procurement, Neolithic Archaeology, Geology and Geophysics, Lithic Technology, Chert, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geoarchaeology and Lithic Studies, and Neanderthals (Palaeolithic Archaeology)edit
Budureasca Archaeological Reservation lies to north‑west of Mizil town, by the foothills of the first Subcarpathian hills, on the territory of Vadu Săpat, Fântânele and Călugăreni communes. This archaeological reservation is well-known in... more
Budureasca Archaeological Reservation lies to north‑west of Mizil town, by the foothills of the first Subcarpathian hills, on the territory of Vadu Săpat, Fântânele and Călugăreni communes. This archaeological reservation is well-known in the literature due to the high number of discoveries, in this area being identified tens of archaeological sites dating from prehistory up to the modern period. Discoveries dating from The Iron Age were found on several sites, testifying for an intensive settlement of the area during that period. One of the sites with discoveries from the above-mentioned period is located in the point “Puțul Tătarului” (“Budureasca 4 archaeological site”). In this point, already known for numerous other discoveries dating from both The Early Iron Age and The Late Iron Age, during 2018 and 2019 excavation campaigns was identified and investigated a carbonized wood structure. Based on the archaeological inventory and a radiocarbon data this structure was framed to end of The Early Iron Age. The large-size, design and the overall layout of this wood structure evidence that originally it fulfilled some precise function. In any case in the current state of research one can only outline some working hypothesis in respect with the primary function of this wood structure.
Research Interests:
Important transformations in respect with the settlement patterns took place to the north of the Lower Danube between the 8th - 10th centuries AD. During this time span, marked by the decline of the Avar Khaganate and the ascension of the... more
Important transformations in respect with the settlement patterns took place to the north of the Lower Danube between the 8th - 10th centuries AD. During this time span, marked by the decline of the Avar Khaganate and the ascension of the of Bulgarian Tsardom, there was both a growth in the number of settlements and a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of the archaeological inventory. Unfortunately, the research carried out so far has allowed rather to formulate hypotheses than to find satisfactory answers. Such, for example, three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain these transformations: 1) an increase of population; 2) a different way of exploiting the land or 3) a combination of these two.
Some clarifications and a significant amount of new data on the development and functioning of the settlements north of the Lower Danube in the early Middle Ages has been brought by the investigations carried out over the last years on the territory of Târgșoru Vechi village in Prahova County. Alongside solid evidence for the hypothesis of wandering settlements, these investigations are also pointing to a certain degree of planning and systematization, as well as the existence of an authority responsible for such tasks.
Some clarifications and a significant amount of new data on the development and functioning of the settlements north of the Lower Danube in the early Middle Ages has been brought by the investigations carried out over the last years on the territory of Târgșoru Vechi village in Prahova County. Alongside solid evidence for the hypothesis of wandering settlements, these investigations are also pointing to a certain degree of planning and systematization, as well as the existence of an authority responsible for such tasks.
Research Interests:
In the spring of 2021, an akinakes type dagger, decorated on one side, was found by metal detecting in a forest nearby Curcubeu village, Balta Doamnei commune, southern Prahova County. Typologically, the dagger fals into the... more
In the spring of 2021, an akinakes type dagger, decorated on one side, was found by metal detecting in a forest nearby Curcubeu village, Balta Doamnei commune, southern Prahova County. Typologically, the dagger fals into the Suseni-Măcişeni/ Vettettersfelde type. According to Romanian law, the object was handed over and became part of the inventory of the Prahova County Museum of History and Archaeology.
Research Interests:
Un fragment de amforă locală cu ștampilă anepigrafică descoperit pe Valea Budureasca (Vadu Săpat, jud. Prahova). În urma cercetărilor arheologice desfășurate în anul 2019 în Valea Budureasca, situl Budureasca 4 – Puțul Tătarului (com.... more
Un fragment de amforă locală cu ștampilă anepigrafică descoperit pe Valea Budureasca (Vadu Săpat, jud. Prahova). În urma cercetărilor arheologice desfășurate în anul 2019 în Valea Budureasca, situl Budureasca 4 – Puțul Tătarului (com. Vadu Săpat, jud. Prahova), într-o groapă datată în a doua perioadă a Epocii fierului, au fost găsite câteva fragmente provenind din două amfore de proveniență locală. Una dintre ele avea, pe umărul toartei, o ștampilă anepigrafă. Fenomenul amforelor de proveniență locală cu ștampile anepigrafe este întâlnit în Muntenia și
în nord-estul Bulgariei, și este încadrat cronologic în secolele II a. Chr-I a. Chr.
în nord-estul Bulgariei, și este încadrat cronologic în secolele II a. Chr-I a. Chr.
Research Interests:
In 2022, two Thracian shaped fibulas were found in Prahova County (Coada Malului and Podul Văleni). The two pieces were found by a metal detector, outside of any known archaeological site, and became the property of the Prahova County... more
In 2022, two Thracian shaped fibulas were found in Prahova County (Coada Malului and Podul Văleni). The two pieces were found by a metal detector, outside of any known archaeological site, and became the property of the Prahova County Museum of History and Archaeology.
Research Interests:
The context of systematic research being organised in order to define the content of various neo-Aeneolithic phenomena within the Romanian Intra-Carpathian area, is where the investigations from Podei plateau – Pianu de Jos (Pianu... more
The context of systematic research being organised in order to define the
content of various neo-Aeneolithic phenomena within the Romanian Intra-Carpathian area, is where the investigations from Podei plateau – Pianu de Jos (Pianu village, Alba County) took place, in the sixties of the last century. Vinča (Turdaş), Petreşti and Bronze
Age habitations were being identified then – Coţofeni. Resumed after more than four decades, the archaeological research of the Podei from Pianu de Jos had completely different immediate reasons and was conducted under distinct financial and technical parameters from the previous one.
Our 2012 research wholly affected approximately 8700 m2 while the stratigraphic control was exerted over circa 1.5 Northern hectares of the Podei. The 2012 campaign led to identifying and researching a Chalcolithic defensive system, which was chrono-stratigraphically overlain by a series of pits dug in the Bronze Age – Coţofeni and Wietenberg.
The chipped lithic pieces – from Chalcolithic – come both from the filling of the foundation ditches and from a series of pits unrelated to it, but in use at the time of the first ones.
Due to the fact that the Chalcolithic settlement was not fully researched, but only its defensive system, the stone assemblage is small in number, and not necessarily representative of the entire settlement. However, the analysis of these categories of artifacts does provide important data about both the entire chaîne opératoire and about the obsidian and silicolite supply strategies and their possible geological sourses. Thus, after we used Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) to analysed the obsidian items, it was found that the geological source it is located in the Zemplén hills region (Slovakia), while the silicolites probably come from geological sources much closer to the settlement of Pianu de Jos Podei
content of various neo-Aeneolithic phenomena within the Romanian Intra-Carpathian area, is where the investigations from Podei plateau – Pianu de Jos (Pianu village, Alba County) took place, in the sixties of the last century. Vinča (Turdaş), Petreşti and Bronze
Age habitations were being identified then – Coţofeni. Resumed after more than four decades, the archaeological research of the Podei from Pianu de Jos had completely different immediate reasons and was conducted under distinct financial and technical parameters from the previous one.
Our 2012 research wholly affected approximately 8700 m2 while the stratigraphic control was exerted over circa 1.5 Northern hectares of the Podei. The 2012 campaign led to identifying and researching a Chalcolithic defensive system, which was chrono-stratigraphically overlain by a series of pits dug in the Bronze Age – Coţofeni and Wietenberg.
The chipped lithic pieces – from Chalcolithic – come both from the filling of the foundation ditches and from a series of pits unrelated to it, but in use at the time of the first ones.
Due to the fact that the Chalcolithic settlement was not fully researched, but only its defensive system, the stone assemblage is small in number, and not necessarily representative of the entire settlement. However, the analysis of these categories of artifacts does provide important data about both the entire chaîne opératoire and about the obsidian and silicolite supply strategies and their possible geological sourses. Thus, after we used Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) to analysed the obsidian items, it was found that the geological source it is located in the Zemplén hills region (Slovakia), while the silicolites probably come from geological sources much closer to the settlement of Pianu de Jos Podei
Research Interests:
Without being in any particular way exceptional, the Bucșani area of Giurgiu County underwent much more surveys than other areas. Continued up to the present, the research circumscribed to the initial space, led to the discovery of... more
Without being in any particular way exceptional, the Bucșani area of Giurgiu County underwent much more surveys than other areas. Continued up to the present, the research circumscribed to the initial space, led to the discovery of numerous archaeological stations (Fig. 3), some left unpublished. Here we focused upon the sources and upon a part of the upper course of the Ilfovăț River (Fig. 2), a left-hand tributary of the Neajlov River. The large dimensions of the surfaces on which we discovered archaeological materials forced us to handle the research in a more specific way. We started by making a virtual grid with cells measuring 10x10 m, with temporary markings in the field made with a GPS unit, the grid being over imposed and surpassing the previously known space from the dimensions of the surface and from the diffusion of the archaeological material point of view. As we went along with recording the density of the archaeological material, the temporary points were annulled by shifting. In order not to overfill the map that represents the pottery fragment distribution, we opted for only five types of associations. Two of them refer also to the presence of building material (brick or daub), the other three, to the relative number of pottery fragments.
Our action led to the discovery and specific treatment of six new archaeological stations, includind a possible tell, one of them – at least on the basis of the distribution of archaeological material on the soil’s surface – being of huge dimensions, measuring 103.5 ha. One of the sites probably includes the remains of the Foișoru` Lipoviencii inn, cartographically recorded since the XVIIIth century, the place name being partially conserved in the present day. It is not improbable that this site was included on the route of Tudor Vladimirescu’s march to Bucharest in 1821, after leaving the post road at Vadu Lat and before arriving at Bolintin Vale.
Our action led to the discovery and specific treatment of six new archaeological stations, includind a possible tell, one of them – at least on the basis of the distribution of archaeological material on the soil’s surface – being of huge dimensions, measuring 103.5 ha. One of the sites probably includes the remains of the Foișoru` Lipoviencii inn, cartographically recorded since the XVIIIth century, the place name being partially conserved in the present day. It is not improbable that this site was included on the route of Tudor Vladimirescu’s march to Bucharest in 1821, after leaving the post road at Vadu Lat and before arriving at Bolintin Vale.
During the medieval and modern periods, in the area south and east of the Carpathians, the manufacture of lime, closely related to the emergence and diffusion of masonry architecture, is commonly associated with military fortifications,... more
During the medieval and modern periods, in the area south and east of the Carpathians, the
manufacture of lime, closely related to the emergence and diffusion of masonry architecture, is commonly
associated with military fortifications, bourgs, towns and ecclesiastic centres. Nevertheless, research carried
out in recent years on the Budureasca valley record the presence of this craft in a rural setting as well, in a
relatively peripheral area compared to main trade and communication routes. In 2006 and 2020, via the archaeological
excavations conducted on said valley were investigated two lime firing kilns, which most likely date by late
medieval and first part of the modern era.
manufacture of lime, closely related to the emergence and diffusion of masonry architecture, is commonly
associated with military fortifications, bourgs, towns and ecclesiastic centres. Nevertheless, research carried
out in recent years on the Budureasca valley record the presence of this craft in a rural setting as well, in a
relatively peripheral area compared to main trade and communication routes. In 2006 and 2020, via the archaeological
excavations conducted on said valley were investigated two lime firing kilns, which most likely date by late
medieval and first part of the modern era.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The main objective of the archaeological research on the 3C (Dolea-Margine) section of the future Borș-Braşov highway was the identification of potential archaeological site which were then to be investigated in an significant manner in... more
The main objective of the archaeological research on the 3C (Dolea-Margine) section of the future Borș-Braşov highway was the identification of potential archaeological site which were then to be investigated in an significant manner in order to achieve the proposal for archaeological discharge. Previously unknown, the site of Satu Barbă Groapa de Animale (Abram village, Bihor County) (RAN code-27141.1) is located approximately between Km 015 + 850 and Km 016 + 000, having an area of about 100x100 m 2. It was actually surveyed an area of 311 m 2. From the point of view of immediate results, it seems to be a short-lived occupation, belonging to a Bodrogkéresztúr community. The only complexes discovered and researched in whole or in part are the pit of a hut and other three very likely pits, containing, each, two vessels. The inventory of chipped lithics consists of 63 pieces, of which 52 (82.5%) are obsidian, nine of silex (14.3%) and two of quartzite (3.7%). The very large percentage of the parts chipped in obsidian, the existence of the three depleted cores, the possibility that by means of refitting the chipped pieces can be attributed to these cores, the existence of the pieces from all the stages of lithic carving show that all the activities of the operator chain were carried out in the settlement of Satu Barbă. Obviously, the very small dimensions of the pieces are given by the raw material morphology. We can not but remember the unprocessed gravel discovered at the Margine Natu site, just 1.4 km from the Satu Barbă Groapa de Animale. It most likely comes from the Barcău river bed. From a macroscopic point of view, one of the two types of obsidian identified (the one from which most of the chipped pieces, including the nuclei come from), has the same attributes as the mentioned gravel (black, translucent, gray cortex, very polished surface, small size). If the cutting up in the obsidian is complex, it is not the same thing to say about the few pieces that are chipped in silex. Among them dominate the finite pieces, probably brought into the settlement in this form. Rezumat: Obiectivul principal al cercetărilor arheologice de pe tronsonul 3C (Dolea-Margine) al viitoarei autostrăzi Borş-Braşov a fost identificarea unor potenţiale staţiuni arheologice care urmau, apoi, să fie cercetate de o manieră semnificativă, în vederea propunerii de descărcare de sarcină arheologică. Necunoscută anterior, staţiunea de la Satu Barbă Groapa de Animale (com. Abram, jud. Bihor) (cod RAN-27141.1) este situată aproximativ între Km 015+850 şi Km 016+000, având o suprafaţă de cca 100x100 m 2. A fost cercetată efectiv o suprafaţă de 311 m 2. Prin prisma rezultatelor imediate, pare să fie o locuire de scurtă durată, aparţinând unei comunități Bodrogkéresztúr. Singurele complexe descoperite şi cercetate integral sau parţial sunt groapa unui bordei şi alte trei foarte probabile gropi, conţinând câte două vase. Inventarul litic cioplit este alcătuit din 63 de piese, dintre care 52 (82,5%) sunt din obsidian, nouă din silex (14,3%) și două din cuarțit (3,7%). Procentul foarte mare al pieselor debitate din obsidian, existența celor trei nuclee epuizate, posibilitatea ca prin remontaj să se poată atribui piese de debitaj acestor nuclee, existența debitajului provenind din toate etapele de cioplire litică arată că în așezarea de la Satu Barbă se realizau toate activitățile lanțului operator. Evident, dimensiunile foarte mici ale debitajului sunt date de morfologia materiei prime. Nu putem să nu reamintim galetul neprelucrat descoperit în situl de la Margine Natu, aflat la numai 1,4 km de cel de la Satu Barbă Groapa de Animale. Acesta provine cel mai probabil din albia Barcăului. Din punct de vedere macroscopic, unul dintre cele două tipuri de obsidian identificate (cel din care provin majoritatea Muzeul Naţional de Istorie a României,