The Roman Headquarters on the Northern limes of Dacia: Porolissum (jud. Sălaj / RO) in the Light of Recent Research

Abstract

The authors are presenting their new geophysical and archaeological research of the latus sinistrum in the Roman fort at Porolissum. The result of the intensive geophysical surveys was the mapping of a huge residential complex, of 4500 m² composed of several buildings. The archaeological excavation which followed confirmed the geophysical data and provided chronological details. In conclusion, the new research at Porolissum identified in the latus sinistrum of the fort an area with several buildings which seem to be the result of a unitary architectural plan. The first chronological phase of the stone buildings was placed in the period of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, while the second stone phase, which is a reconstruction from the basements of most of the buildings, started in the first decade of the 3rd century. The purpose of this huge complex was probably a praetorium with private bath facilities of a fort which was very probably the military headquarter and a logistics base for the northern limes of Dacia.