engleski

Finds of Roman military equipment from Burnum

During the recent archaeological excavations at Burnum in province Dalmatia, thin but rich cultural layer was documented underneath substructure of amphitheatre. As natural karst valley was used for building of the amphitheatre, it was necessary to prepare the karstic terrain before the works began. It was leveled by cutting bedrock and also by filling up larger cavities and leveling area with soil. Within compact cultural layer in front of the entrance and underneath the stands and outer embankment of the auditorium it was found numerous pottery shreds (amphorae, plain pottery, terra sigilata fragments, lamp fragments, brick with stamps) and glass (luxury ENNION cups and bowls) ; parts of military equipment and armament (bronze aucissa fibulae, bronze and silver-plated belt buckles, phalerae, helmet’s and cuirass’ fittings, pendants, scabbard’s mounting ; swords, daggers, iron lances and javelins ; artillery missile ; tools from the soldiers rucksack ; parts of the horse equipment etc…) and other artefacts: bronze strigilus, bronze vessel – simpulum, bronze bells from tintinabula, legion ivory stamps for was impressing, and iron nails. The most important finds with reference to date are coins. Almost all 200 pieces can be dated to the beginning of the Empire, mainly sestertia, dupondia and asses from Augustus until Claudius. An author discusses about chronology and attribution of military equipment.

Burnum; legionary camp; amphitheatre; military equipment

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