REVISITING OLDER DISCOVERIES. THE LATE IRON AGE FINDS FROM BOSANCI AND VORNICENII MICI (SUCEAVA COUNTY)

Abstract

The early phase of the Late Iron Age is characterized throughout the Carpathian-Dniester region by a significant dynamism and diversity in funerary discoveries. Of particular interest is the situation in the northern sector of the Suceava Plateau, a region somewhat peripheral to the main area of diffusion of the so-called “Getic culture”. Although this area has been relatively well investigated, the funerary landscape remains rather poorly represented, in contrast to the earlier timeframe, marked by the spectacular finds belonging to the North-western Podolian group. To date, only two sites with funerary finds attributable to this chronological horizon are documented in the specialized literature: one at Bosanci – La Pod la Rediu, and another at Vornicenii Mici, both first reported more than half a century ago. Unfortunately, the discoveries Vornicenii Mici are beset by numerous questions and uncertainties. At this moment we cannot say if we are dealing with a necropolis or not, so the finds have to be seen, for the moment, with a degree of caution. With regard to the situation at Bosanci, it is our assessment that the two graves most likely represent a peripheral sector of a larger necropolis; of special interest is the presence of the „Scythian-type” handmade jar, which, just-like in the case of similar vessels found in the Strahotin - Ponoare necropolis from neighbouring Botoșani County, constitutes a strong argument in favor of the coexistence in this area, alongside the local population, of other groups with origins or cultural affiliations in the North Pontic region.