THE EARLY MEDIEVAL NECROPOLIS FROM ALBA IULIA - IZVORUL ÎMPĂRATULUI. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IN 2014

The article presents the archaeological researches carried out in the necropolis from Alba Iulia-Izvorul Împăratului, a landmark site for the history of Christianity and interferences between local population and allogeneous ones from the area of 10th -11th century Transylvania. With one exception (M. 1), all eight graves were oriented E-W (skull). The deceased (adults and children) were deposited in simple pits or lined with tile material, stone and lime (M. 5, M. 8, M. 9). As for forearms, several variants are known: right on the abdomen or pelvis and left straight (M. 2, M. 4), both straight (M. 5, M. 7, M. 9) on the pelvis (M. 8) or on the abdomen (M. 6). Egg offering was deposited to the left of the pelvis (M. 2), between shanks (M. 4) and to left of humerus (M. 9). Ceramic vessels were deposited in one piece, by the right of the abdomen (M. 5) and left of the skull (M. 9). One of the vessels, discovered fragmentary, was decorated with distanced incisions and the other one is not decorated. Pieces of weapons and accessories (arrow points, strap distributors, Kecel buckle) were recuperated from M. 3 and M. 8. The funeral picture is completed by a ring with channels (M. 2), 13 Giesler rings, fragmentary bead and twisted bracelets. Elements of funeral rite and ritual date these discoveries to the latter half of 10th century. Inhumations within this necropolis start at a synchronous horizon or similar to that from Alba Iulia-Str. Brînduşei, Pîclişa and post Alba Iulia-Staţia de Salvare/beginning of phase II. Certain common habits (lining of pits, depositing of animal offering and ceramics) mirror cultural intertwinements between ethnic communities existent in this area at the turn of millennia. Older and more recent researches from this site determine us take into consideration the following two working hypotheses: a. functionality of the necropolis would have been in connection with one of the ethnical communities from the area which is divided in two, one continuing pagan traditions and the other one that accepts Christianity; b. the first and the sole necropolis from Transylvania, used irrespective of ethnicity that had as common denominator Christianity, or more exactly its revival by Byzantine mission led by Hierotheus.