On the Fringes of the Empire: Multidisciplinary Investigations at the Roman Fort in Ungra, Transylvania

Alexandru Hegyi, Silviu Gridan, Laurențiu Angheluță, Adrian-Cristian Ardelean, Diaa Sheishah, Ștefan Honcu, Sever-Petru Boțan, Radu Zăgrean, Alexandru Onaca, Petru Urdea, Adelina Picior, Aurora Pețan, Adriana Sărășan

Journal of Field Archaeology · 2025

Abstract

The Roman fort near Ungra, southeastern Transylvania, offers new insights into Roman military presence and strategies in Dacia. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, including satellite imagery, drone surveys, geophysical investigations, archaeological excavations, and digital reconstruction to analyze the fort's location, structure, and historical significance. The fort features a double ditch and rampart system, with evidence of both timber and stone construction phases. Key finds, including the Principia, military artifacts such as ballista and sling projectiles, and metallurgical slag, suggest active military use for both defense and offense. Its strategic location allowed control over key communication routes, while its proximity to the large auxiliary fort at Hoghiz implies an interconnected network of defenses. The digital reconstruction of the fort enhances our understanding of Roman military architecture. This research significantly contributes to the archaeological record of Roman Dacia and the study of frontier dynamics in Transylvania.

Keywords

How to cite

Hegyi, A., Gridan, S., Angheluță, L., Ardelean, A.-C., Sheishah, D., Honcu, Ș., Boțan, S.-P., Zăgrean, R., Onaca, A., Urdea, P., Picior, A., Pețan, A., & Sărășan, A. (2025). On the Fringes of the Empire: Multidisciplinary Investigations at the Roman Fort in Ungra, Transylvania. Journal of Field Archaeology, 50(5), 425–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2025.2505818