Impact

The recent results of the integrated non-invasive investigations carried out by our research department has introduced into the scientific circuit novel and original research directions in support of the theory whereby the internal spatial organization of the circular mega-sites from the Rep. of Moldova and Ukraine has its origins in Northeastern Romania. Having this in mind, the main objective of the proposed project is to further develop and refine this theory, which is to have a notable impact on the archaeology of the Southeastern and Eastern European Chalcolithic. In the same vein, the exhaustive surveying of at least five sites (Stroiești Pietrărie (jud. Iași), Cucuteni Cetățuie (jud. Iași), Cucuteni Dâmbul Morii (jud. Iași), Ripiceni Popoaia (jud. Botoșani), Drăgușeni La Căldare (jud. Botoșani), Codreni (jud. Vaslui)) will generate novel hypotheses on the internal organisation of the sites, with concrete details of the functionalities of the structures detected. The evolution of the settlements, particularly the founding and expansion stages, will be analysed by means of settlement archaeology and ethnoarchaeology. The complete planimetric images will also serve to tackle issues related to social and demographic aspects, seldom addressed in Romanian archaeology.
The implementation of this project will also lead to the consolidation of a team of emerging specialists, as well of the links between the two most important archaeological research centres from Northeastern Romania (the “Al. I. Cuza” University of Iasi, and the Iasi Institute of Archaeology of the Romanian Academy). Finally, the dissemination of the project results by publishing in prestigious journals will contribute to increasing the visibility and relevance of Romanian interdisciplinary archaeological research, both abroad and in Romania.