ArcheoBudaPest 2020/19

Keywords: Roman Age, settlement, civil town, layer finds, Modern Period, layer finds

Between June 16 and August 13, 2020, we conducted an instrumental site survey using a metal detector within the area of the Aquincum civil town, specifically in the so-called northeastern industrial-commercial quarter (bounded by Streets A and D, and Keled Road and Sujtás Street), as well as east of the old museum building, along the southern side of D Street.The research covered approximately 7,400 m², encompassing the areas of Buildings I, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, as well as XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, and XXXV. (Fig. 1) The indirect reason for the metal detector survey was that, in the short and medium term, we are planning controlled excavations in both areas and the subsequent heritage presentation of the re-excavated buildings.

During the project, we systematically scanned the sites of previously only partially excavated buildings (within the upper 20–30 cm, a layer already disturbed by earlier excavations), as well as various spoil heaps left behind by earlier excavations. This method allowed us to assess the condition of areas abandoned after previous excavations and gather information about the function of specific building parts. The recovery of items dating from later periods (such as the early 20th century) also gave us insight into who had visited the ruins of the ancient city since its discovery.

The survey unearthed more than 140 metal objects, most of which dated to the Roman period, although a considerable number of later finds were also recorded. Each find was given a precise description and an identification number, and its findspot was recorded and mapped. A significant proportion of the metal finds consisted of small, amorphous lead fragments or iron pieces, which likely originated from roof structures, furniture, or various technical installations (e.g., water pipes). Among the individual finds, many lead weights of various shapes, sizes, and weights were particularly noteworthy, all from the northeastern quarter. One of the weights even bore a marked unit of measurement. The presence of such a large quantity of weights is unsurprising, given that the houses’ rooms opening toward the main road were primarily used as shops (Bíró–Láng 2018). Numerous coins were also recovered, most datable to the 2nd–3rd centuries AD, aligning with the known chronological data of the city (Láng 2013). A particularly notable find was a sestertius of Emperor Antoninus Pius (AD 145–161), which was preserved in exceptionally good condition. (Fig. 2) Among personal accessories, numerous fibulae, mounts, and buckle parts, as well as weapon fragments (e.g., a sword chape), were found. Fragments of bronze furniture fittings, chest mounts, and parts of bronze hand mirrors, presumably belonging to the furnishings of residential houses, were also documented. The find locations provided interesting insights into the quarter’s function and the condition of the remains. Items related to commercial activities (such as coins) were primarily found in the street-facing parts of the buildings, while personal items (such as mirrors, rings, and fibulae) predominantly came from the rear residential sections. (Fig. 3)

The distribution of finds also revealed that visitors to the once-unguarded ruins and previous excavations left relatively few metal objects in the near-surface layers; items tended to survive in harder-to-reach, sloped areas. As expected, alongside Roman finds, a significant number of modern objects were also discovered. Cap badges belonging to interwar school uniforms testified to frequent visits by school groups, while 20th-century coins, buttons, and even beer bottle caps evoked memories of former picnics held at the archaeological park (Láng 2021).

Contributors: Orsolya Láng (archaeologist), Adrienn Vukics (archaeologist), Lajos Sándor (metal detector survey, Sandex Ltd), István Fábián (surveyor), Tibor Kovács (surveyor)

Orsolya Láng