Results from the 2003 drawing program in the area of Tropaeum Traiani, Adamclisi, SE Romania (2003)

In 2002, a survey was initiated in the region (territorium) surrounding the Roman city of Tropaeum Traiani. The long-range research goals are to document and survey all known or suspected sites within a 25 km radius of this Roman city and to produce a detailed land use map of the territorium for the period during which Tropaeum Traiani was occupied (2nd - 6th centuries AD). Based on successful results from the 2002 season, the 2003 season was focused on a more intensive investigation of two sites—Abrud and Șipote—both of which are of interest because of their location on subterranean Roman aqueduct lines. In 2003, we were able to conduct both surface surveying and soil surveying at Șipote (ca. 5 km south of Adamclisi); at Abrud (ca. 7 km north of Adamclisi), limited time and staff permitted only surface surveying. In 2003, we undertook a soil phosphate survey at Șipote with the objective of identifying meaningful areas of this vast settlement to excavate in future field seasons. This site is important for two reasons: 1) surface pottery from the Neolithic to the Historic period has been found; and 2) its Roman aqueduct supplied water to the Roman city of Tropaeum Traiani. The settlement area occupies a large plateau and, since it has never been excavated, its area of occupation/utilization is preliminarily estimated at more than 0.5 skm.