Cercetare Arheologică Preventivă Șura Mică – Strada Fabricii Campania anului 2023

Abstract The 2023 excavation campaign comprised the opening of seven trenches across the investigated area. Archaeological features were concentrated primarily in Trenches 7A, 9A, and 11, where multiple combustion-related installations—interpreted as hearth-type complexes—were documented. These features were excavated either into the yellow sterile clay substratum (e.g., CX15, CX16, CX17) or into an overlying black cultural deposit (CX18–CX22). Morphologically, several hearths exhibited a marginal ring of vitrified or heavily burnt clay (CX19, CX20), whereas others presented simple earthen limits; notably, CX16 preserved a stone-built rim (gardină), suggesting a more substantial structural arrangement. The associated archaeological assemblage consisted predominantly of Roman-period ceramic fragments, with sporadic prehistoric sherds retrieved from secondary or disturbed contexts. Additional artefacts recovered from CX16 included an iron knife blade and a spindle whorl, indicating domestic activities within the excavated area. By contrast, Trenches 1A, 3A, 5A, and 12 yielded no significant archaeological features or stratified cultural deposits. These units were characterized by a thin humic layer containing sparse ceramic fragments directly overlying sterile clay. In Trench 7A, two hearths (CX16 and CX17) were investigated to a depth of approximately 0.36 m; both contained charcoal, burnt clay fragments, ash lenses, faunal remains, ceramic sherds, and iron artefacts. Trench 9A produced CX15, a hearth of comparable typology but with a more limited artefactual inventory. Trench 11 proved to be the most archaeologically productive area, yielding five in situ hearths (CX18–CX22), some cut deeply into the geological substrate (up to 0.90 m). These installations displayed burnt clay linings, charcoal accumulations, faunal remains, and Roman ceramic material, supporting the interpretation of a structured habitation zone characterized by repeated combustion-related activity.