The main focus of the project’s research has been on better understanding the development of prehistoric cultures in the Mureş valley in terms of technology, regional interaction and resource exploitation. The project also focuses on clarifying the chronology of this region to better understand when (and perhaps why) certain advancements and changes took place. This involves not only the day-to-day lives of the people who lived in the Mures valley, but also how they interacted with their environment. From 2004 to 2011 excavations were carried out at several sites as well as numerous field walking surveys to search for and catalogue prehistoric sites. As in 2009, the 2012 field season will take place at the late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age settlement site at Piatra Tomii (Răcătău village, Alba County).

The research this year will continue the investigations of 2009 regarding the flint mining techniques used during the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age as well as flint processing workshops at the settlement, particularly related to the methodology and equipment used by the Cotofeni people. This will allow the research team to compare a flint mining settlement to other contemporary settlement types previously studied in this area. Previously ore mining settlements have been investigated but so far, no prehistoric flint mining settlements have been researched in Transylvania. Mineralogical analyses of the flint from Piatra Tomii will help establish possible trade relations with other settlements. 

We will also resume research on the hillside architecture uncovered in 2009. As this type of raised srtucture has not previously been observed in in the Cotofeni culture, this example extends our knowledge of their architectural skills and techniques.

Contact the organiser or visit the website for additional information about the project, camping conditions and home-stay options, what to bring, travel to Alba Iulea and transfer arrangements, etc. Those with no prior field experience are recommended to read an introductory text on field methods. Abstracts of articles on the Cotofeni Culture translated into English will be available in the information pack sent to those accepted and on the website.  

Website:  http://bioge.ubbcluj.ro/~otis.crandell/cart/