New Archaeological Information Regarding the Exploitation of Andesite in Măgura Uroiului (Hunedoara County)

The present stage of research on this subject shows that the earliest evidences of the use of the andesite from the Măgura Uroiului volcanic hill were found during a survey of certain dwellings from the Early Neolithic period in Rapoltu Mare. The volcanic rock was used throughout the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, when two fortifications were erected on the terraces of Măgura Uroiului. The andesite quarry was systematically exploited during the Roman period. The traces of the ancient techniques of extracting stone blocks are still visible today. The site’s strong connection with the Micia Roman stonemasons’ centre lead to the discovery, in the Uroi exploitation site, of an anthropomorphic representation in an early stage of manufacture, a representation that bears the artistic marks of the Micia sculpture practices. The Uroi andesite was also used throughout the Middle Ages, as proven by a nearby fortification. Evidences of medieval and modern exploitations are also still visible through different markings left in the native rock.