Carsten Mischka, Adela Kovács, Drăgușeni-Ostrov, Botoșani County: New Research and Information, Arheologia Moldovei, XLV (2022), p. 165-180. (original) (raw)

2022, Arheologia Moldovei

The current paper aims to present the new research conducted on the site of Drăgușeni-Ostrov, Botoșani County. Known as a result of research conducted in the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, the site of Drăgușeni-Ostrov attracts attention through a rich material culture. 20 dwellings were excavated (19 in full and one partially), which provided archaeological material from all existing categories of finds. Discovered by Aristotel Crîșmaru, amateur archaeologist and principal of the local school, the site attracted the attention of researchers from the Institute of Archeology in Bucharest. Important names of Romanian archeology are linked to the research carried out here during the last century, such as Vladimir Dumitrescu, Hortensia Dumitrescu, Silvia Marinescu-Bîlcu and Alexandra Bolomey. The results materialized in a series of studies and articles, as well as in a monograph, by Silvia Marinescu-Bîlcu and Alexandra Bolomey. As a result of a collaboration protocol between the Botoșani County Museum and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, two non-invasive research campaigns took place in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The total area covered by geophysical research is 8.7 hectares, extending beyond the found anomalies. 68 structures have been identified on the magnetogram, that can be classified as traces of dwellings. In low-density areas, such as the eastern part of the site, some structures have been observed, which could be unburned. The plan resulting from magnetometric and geo-physical research shows that, unlike other contemporary sites, there is no clearly delimited spatial arrangement inside. The fortification system is only visible in some places, so it is difficult to decide on a precise route without conducting intrusive archaeological research.