The archaeological site

The discovery of the Hop-Găuri Necropolis and the circular Funerary Monument in Roșia Montană opens a fascinating window into the ancient world of the Roman Empire and the Illyrian-Dalmatian settlers. These archaeological sites, part of the UNESCO tour of Roșia Montană, are not just tourist destinations but also impressive testimonies to ancient life and funeral rituals.

The Hop-Găuri Necropolis, sits on a plateau overlooking the artificial lake Tăul Găuri. The area contains over two hundred funeral complexes dating back to ancient times. These include tombs with cremated remains deposited in various structures, reflecting diverse funeral rituals. The circular Funerary Monument, is a notable structure within the necropolis area consisting of an earth cone surrounded by a stone wall. It combines Roman and local funeral customs, indicating the presence of important individuals or families. These archaeological sites provide valuable insights into ancient cultures, aiding researchers in understanding aspects such as religious beliefs, funeral practices, and social organization.

Five necropolises were discovered here (Corna Necropolis, Găuri-Hop Necropolis, Pârâul Porcului-Tăul Secuilor Necropolis, Țarina Necropolis, Jig-Piciorag Necropolis) and two burial areas (in the Carpeni area) of the Alburnus Maior site were archaeologically researched or identified. In the vicinity of the burial areas and necropolises, several constructions were identified in the category of public edifices (spa - baths, college headquarters) and homes. Two buildings equipped with underfloor heating systems in the Carpeni area were investigated. The authors of the research typologically classify the two edifices in the spa - bath category, used by administrative staff, soldiers and civilians. The operation of these edifices is associated with "administrative, fiscal activities of the mining area or other public activities." The identification of the urban organization of the ancient locality is still at the beginning. Studies are needed for the surface identification, the ancient road network, the processing areas of the ore extracted from underground, the water management (canals, reservoirs) and not at least of the ancient urban structuring mode in the area.

However, the importance of these sites goes far beyond the academic sphere. They are also a source of pride and identity for the locals, who regard them not only as a part of their history but also a reason to promote and protect their cultural heritage.The protection and conservation of these archaeological sites are crucial to ensure that the cultural and historical heritage of the region will be safely transmitted to future generations. In this regard, conservation and restoration efforts are essential, and community engagement and support from authorities are vital.

In conclusion, the Hop-Găuri Necropolis and the Circular Funerary Monument are not just mere tourist destinations or archaeological sites. They are portals to the distant past of humanity, offering us the opportunity to connect with our ancestors and to appreciate the richness and diversity of ancient cultures. So let us explore them with admiration and respect, for they are linked to our nature and to our evolution.

The UNESCO tour of Rosia Montana is a project implemented by the non-governmental organization ‘Rosia Montana in Patrimoniul Mondial’. The audio-tour is co-financed by Romania’s Administration for National Cultural Funds. We based our story telling on local anecdotes and the works listed on the bibliography on our website. We encourage you to follow the trail that we prepared for you via our website. This will ensure that you discover all objects and their stories of Rosia Montana. Have a pleasant journey and ‘drum bun’ as we say here.