The archaeological The archaeological complex Bumbesti-complex Bumbesti-

JiuJiu -The Roman -The Roman StrongholdsStrongholds – –

By :By :Cherciu Nicoleta & Ploscaru ElenaCherciu Nicoleta & Ploscaru Elena

Gorj represents a Gorj represents a territory with a great territory with a great historical significance, dating historical significance, dating for about 1,500,000 years , for about 1,500,000 years , an historical fact proved by an historical fact proved by the the discoveries from the aera discoveries from the aera ..

Because of significant Because of significant richness of the soil and richness of the soil and subsoil, And strategic subsoil, And strategic position our ancestors Geto-position our ancestors Geto-Dacian considered this Dacian considered this region the perfect location to region the perfect location to establish.establish.

In Gorj we can find In Gorj we can find the archaeological the archaeological complex Bumbesti-Jiu complex Bumbesti-Jiu considered an considered an incontestable proof of incontestable proof of the presence , the presence , cleverness and skills of cleverness and skills of the Geto-Dacian.the Geto-Dacian.

In the In the archaeological complex archaeological complex Bumbesti-Jiu we can find Bumbesti-Jiu we can find the roman stronghold the roman stronghold (castrul roman) from (castrul roman) from Bumbesti-Jiu. This is a Bumbesti-Jiu. This is a part from the line of the part from the line of the roman strongholds roman strongholds (castre romane) from the (castre romane) from the foot of mountain chain foot of mountain chain Carpati.Carpati.

The roman strongholds (castre The roman strongholds (castre romane) have the role to protect the romane) have the role to protect the inhabitants of mountain areas, which were inhabitants of mountain areas, which were many more than in other regions because many more than in other regions because of the roman conquests. of the roman conquests.

The second purpose was to defend The second purpose was to defend the road to Sarmisegetuza the Dacian the road to Sarmisegetuza the Dacian capital .capital .

The roman stronghold Bumbesti-Jiu is The roman stronghold Bumbesti-Jiu is located near passage Valcan ( this is a very located near passage Valcan ( this is a very old way of crossing from Oltenia to old way of crossing from Oltenia to Transilvania ) on the left side of the river Jiu .Transilvania ) on the left side of the river Jiu .

It was built during emperor Traian and It was built during emperor Traian and rebuilt in the year 201 from stone by Sever rebuilt in the year 201 from stone by Sever Septimiu Emperor Caracalla and Antony.Septimiu Emperor Caracalla and Antony.

The archaeologists discovered near the The archaeologists discovered near the stronghold (castru roman) dacian pots which stronghold (castru roman) dacian pots which attest that near was a dacian community.attest that near was a dacian community.

Near is located roman stronghold (castrul Near is located roman stronghold (castrul roman ) Vartop,that wasn’t used anymore after roman ) Vartop,that wasn’t used anymore after the roman stronghold Bumbesti-Jiu was the roman stronghold Bumbesti-Jiu was built.Roman stronghold Vartop has been built built.Roman stronghold Vartop has been built between the two wars of conquest of Dacia by between the two wars of conquest of Dacia by the Romans between 101-102, 105-106 having the Romans between 101-102, 105-106 having the same purpose of the one from Bumbesti-the same purpose of the one from Bumbesti-Jiu.Jiu.

Because of the diggings that were made Because of the diggings that were made in that area by the archaeologists were in that area by the archaeologists were founded traces of ceramic, a top spearhead, founded traces of ceramic, a top spearhead, piroane iron and three coins from dry II e.n.piroane iron and three coins from dry II e.n.

In this region we can find also in the In this region we can find also in the area Porceni a place in the past called "the area Porceni a place in the past called "the castle" that has not yet been certified as a castle" that has not yet been certified as a Roman camp there is the possibility to be Roman camp there is the possibility to be an Austrian stronghold.an Austrian stronghold.

These archeological discoveries prove These archeological discoveries prove that the Romanian people is composed of that the Romanian people is composed of a mixture of Dacians and Romans people.a mixture of Dacians and Romans people.

Another important thing that the Another important thing that the histories say is that the Dacian histories say is that the Dacian god,Zalmoxis lived in this area in the god,Zalmoxis lived in this area in the Polovragi cave for about three years.All Polovragi cave for about three years.All this things make from the archaeological this things make from the archaeological complex Bumbesti-Jiu a very important complex Bumbesti-Jiu a very important historical place for Romania.historical place for Romania.

BibliographyBibliography

- The book “Mestesugurile la Geto-Daci - The book “Mestesugurile la Geto-Daci “ by Rodica Tantau for the pictures.“ by Rodica Tantau for the pictures.

- And for general informations we - And for general informations we used the internet.used the internet.