ALBURNUS MAIOR
(Roşia Montană) Alba, Romania.
An important settlement, center of gold
mining in Roman Dacia Superior, in the Apuseni mountains. In the hills of Cetatea Mare and Cetatea Mică
traces are preserved of ancient Roman mines.
Under Trajan Dalinatian colonists (Pirustae, Baridustae, Sardeates) settled here, each tribe dwelling in a separate village or quarter.
Fragments of inscriptions and sculpture have been
found as well as mining and washing equipment. Also
25 tabulae ceratae (A.D. 131-67) with information about
work in the mines, sale and purchase contracts, receipts
of loans with interest, sale of slaves, etc. Finds are in
the History Museum of the Socialist Republic of Romania, of Transilvania in the History Museum in Cluj, and
in the Alba Iulia Regional Museum.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
C. Daicoviciu, “Les Castella Dalmatarum de Dacie. Un aspect de la colonisation et de la
romanisation de la province de Dacie,”
Dacia, N.S.
(1958) 2. 259-66; D. Tudor,
Oraşe, tîrguri şi sate în
Dacia romană (1968) 194-204.
L. MARINESCU
