From theory to practice: protecting an archaeological site. The case of the Tartaria

About 20 years ago a new reality emerged in Romania: the large-scale preventive archaeological excavations occasioned by the construction of the motorways along the Pan-European transport corridors. However, given this new dimension for the contractual archaeology in Romania no further official attempts were made for developing better tools and strategies for outlining and mapping adequately the archaeological sites. As a result, the archaeologists had, very limited time to undertake preliminary surveys prior to the commence of the construction works for identifying the areas of archaeological interest where preventive excavations had to be undertaken. The prehistoric (middle Hallstatt period) site of Tartaria – Podu Tartariei vest (Alba county, Romania), excavated in 2012, by its archaeological features and finds, is relevant for a case study, if to discuss a series challenges encountered nowadays as regards the efficiency and quality of large scale archaeological preventive excavations in Romania, as well as issues regarding its protection, since it was only partially (about 15% of it) impacted by the construction of a motorway. A series of topics are to be considered, respectively the ones regarding the legal framework and constrains for such archaeological works, the data management strategy and the development of associated GIS project, public archaeology aspects, post-excavation study and conservation of archaeological data and materials and publishing the data for research. Also, following the preventive archaeological excavations undertaken in 2012, since it was obvious that the site was by far larger, a second archaeological project related to its protection and scheduled excavation commenced, namely for the part (about 15 hectares) which was not impacted by the motorway’s construction but by agricultural works. The paper will present the aims, challenges and results of this archaeological project for the site Tartaria – Podu Tartariei vest during the last 5 years. Author: PhD BORS, Corina - National History Museum of Romania (MNIR) (Presenting author)