AERO-ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN TRANSILVANIA.MODERN THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPLIED INTERDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIONS

Grant TE_50/304

Research methodology

It is important that the investigations regarding the history of habitat in central Transylvania become interdisciplinary. From a methodological point of view, the positivist stage targeted just at setting typologies and dating of the material, clung to a necessity of chronological accuracy and an often-unsuccessful struggle of operating strict determinations, must be left behind. Traditional research methods such as the analysis and description of material data of different types are in fact tools for sketching the historical evolution of a given area. Researching the habitat implies the investigation at the same time of the archaeological heritage, and the archeological vestiges, social organization in different historical periods and the complex relation between the human communities and their environment.

During the progress of the project documentation activities (archives, libraries) will be alternated with field research. Semester and annual activity and results evaluations will become points of Front-End Evolution. During the data gathering stage we will corroborate the classic research methods specific to archaeology and ethnoarchaeology, systematic field research with palynological analysis and magnetometric surveys.

From a methodological point of view the research will comprise the following activities:

• Research activities specific for the aerophotogrametrical study of archaeological heritage. Research activities specific for the study of the archaeological heritage. Localizing the sites of the known archaeological objectives, their topographic, graphic and photographic documentation. Description and elaboration of standard registration sheets for each monument.
• Elaboration of the topography of the archaeological heritage of the researched area, as a database compatible with geo-informatics software (GIS, ArchView etc).
• Analysis of the multicultural character of the intercultural influences of the researched heritage.
• Comparative analysis of the public and private space and of the process of shaping and metamorphosis of symbolic spaces.
• Investigation of the micro-area through intensive field screening, identification of new archaeological sites, and mapping and documenting of the last. In areas situated outside the agricultural zones investigations using geological probes. If the case may be, performing electromagnetic scanning and taking pollen samples. Performing archaeological boring and in the case of important objectives of systematic excavations.
• General study of the core-periphery relations in different historical stages in our area of research.
• Study of the structure and system of settlement on the basis of different sources and archaeological research. Reconstruction of the historical evolution of the habitat in the area. Creation of 3D models and digital maps.
• Study of the relations between the human habitat and the natural environment through palinological, micro-morphologic and petrologic investigations. Creation of 3D models and digital maps.
• Creation of a hypothetic model of the evolution in time and space of the habitat of the researched area, and relating it to the situation of the whole Carpathian Basin.
• Proposals for the capitalization of the existing archaeological heritage. The most prominent areas will be singled out in agreement with the local authorities.
• Improvement and updating of the list of archaeological monuments by creating a database of the tangible archaeological heritage specific for the researched area.