Roman auxiliary fort in Pojejena (Caraș-Severin County, Romania). The results of non-invasive and archival research (2017-2019)

Abstract

A non-destructive survey conducted in 2017–2019 in the proximity of the auxiliary fort brought forth new data regarding the military base on the bank of the Danube, in the frontier zone between the Roman provinces of Moesia Superior and Dacia Inferior. It became clear that the previously acknowledged large stone fort was preceded by an unknown small earth-and-timber fort likely dated to the late 1st – early 2nd century. Analysis of the internal planning of the large fort, as well as the results of test trenching near the East Gate not only allowed to verify some geophysical results but also gave insight into the chronology of the large fort and contributed to the discussion of the changes to the fort’s garrison. The evidence shows that the base functioned until the 260s CE, and while the Roman military was probably present in the area at some point in the 4th century, it was a relatively short episode during an attempt to reconquer the Dacian riverbank.