ArcheoBudaPest 2020/23

Keywords: Prehistory, Middle Neolithic, Želiezovce group, Early Iron Age, Hallstatt culture, settlement, Roman Age, cemetery, cremation grave, inhumation grave, settlement, villa, Modern Period, water conduit

Between 25th June and 7th August 2020, the authors conducted a watching brief and subsequent excavation work in connection with the construction of an apartment building at 2 Zeyk Domokos Street, District III, Budapest. (Fig. 1) A total of 279 m² was explored prior to the excavation of the building’s basement. 75 stratigraphic units were identified, approximately 44 of which belonged to prehistoric settlement features, 28 to ancient Roman-period cemetery, settlement, or stratigraphic material, and one to an Early Modern or Modern water conduit trench. (Fig. 2)

Most prehistoric features appeared as large pit complexes in the western section of the trench, at elevations between 106.65–107.8 a.B.S.l. Further east, a few scattered prehistoric pits were recorded, many of which had been cut through by Roman features. Five major cross-sections and a quarter-sectioned area were opened to explore the pit complex. During the excavation of the contiguous layers, upper features often did not show sharp separation, making interpretation possible only via profile sections. (Fig. 3) Deeper pits could be distinguished immediately during surface scraping, either within a yellowish-brown erosion layer or in the yellow subsoil. The excavation extended to a considerable depth, with the oldest archaeological layers uncovered approximately 3 to 3.5 metres below the modern ground surface (105.62 a.B.S.l.).

The earliest evidence of settlement consisted of pits dated by pottery attributed to the Trandanubian Linear Pottery Culture – Želiezovce group (c. 5200–4900 BC).

At varying depths, often cutting into and disturbing the Neolithic features, several pits containing Early Iron Age Hallstatt-culture pottery (c. 900–450 BC) were uncovered.

The majority of prehistoric features were pits containing typical settlement finds (pottery, spindle whorls, animal bones, stone tools, daub fragments). One daub collapse layer, two postholes, and a segment of a NW–SE oriented U-shaped ditch were also identified.

The alternating sequence of prehistoric layers, features, alluvial deposits from foothill erosion, and collapsed fill suggests multiple phases of intense prehistoric occupation. The likely reason for this repeated settlement is the proximity of several clean-water springs.

Roman-period features were concentrated in the eastern and southern parts of the excavation, and continued beyond the trench boundaries to the east. In the southern and central areas, six Late Roman graves were documented — four cremation burials (three with reddish daub-lined, charcoal-stained firing pits), and two NW–SE oriented inhumation burials with extended bodies. Grave goods were sparse and consisted of household ceramics (jugs, pots, bowls), and a heavily corroded coin. (Fig. 5) The inhumation graves yielded coffin nails, and in one case, iron studs from footwear worn by the deceased. (Fig. 4)

At the northern end of the trench, the foundation of a NW–SE oriented Roman stone wall was revealed (~107.64 a.B.S.l.), constructed directly into the earth without mortar. The wall was traced for 12 metres but continued beyond the excavation boundaries.

On the eastern side of the wall, debris from the wall and a compact, gravelly walking surface were visible. South of and alongside the wall, a 40–60 cm thick dark grey to almost black silty layer was identified. From this layer and a pit dug into it, a rich assemblage of mainly 2nd–3rd century finds was recovered: fragments of jugs, pots, and bowls; terra sigillata vessels (e.g., barbotine-decorated Drag. 54 from Rheinzabern, second half of the 2nd century); fragments of glass bowls; a bronze spoon; a bronze Zwiebelknopffibel; silver denarii of Caracalla and Elagabalus; a bronze follis of Constantius II; a bone hairpin; and a purple dye murex shell.

The relationship of layers near the wall was investigated with two test trenches. These confirmed that the prehistoric settlement horizon extended beneath the Roman layers. The function of the wall remains uncertain. Initially, it was interpreted as an enclosure wall for the cemetery, but the associated finds and walking levels suggest it may have belonged to a villa-like economic structure, similar to those found north of Kaszásdűlő and Bécsi Road (Zsidi 1996; Zsidi 1999).

In the southwestern corner of the trench, cutting through prehistoric pits, an 11.5-meter-long, 2-meter-deep NW–SE oriented Early Modern or Modern trench was discovered. A ceramic pipe set between mortared stones was located at its base.

Despite the small excavation area, an extremely complex, multi-period site was uncovered, where features and layers from various periods were densely superimposed. Excavation was further complicated by the fact that many Roman graves and prehistoric pits emerged from or beneath stony erosion layers.

The graves uncovered are part of the northwestern section of the western cemetery of the Aquincum canabae. At the nearest previously excavated site (271 Bé­csi Road, plot no. 18774/9), graves of the so-called 7th grave group from the legionary town’s cemetery were found, along with an enclosing dry-laid stone wall, pits of the Želiezovce group, and post-built structures (Budai Balogh 2008). Based on this, the site on Zeyk Domokos Street represents a continuation of this known archaeological area, already identified by Sándor Garády.

Contributors: Noémi Fuchsz (lead archaeologist), Dávid Kraus (lead archaeologist, prehistoric specialist), Adrienn Vukics (deputy lead archaeologist), Mónika Kurunczi (archaeologist), Eszter Solnay (archaeological field technician), István Fábián (surveyor), Tibor Kovács (surveyor)

Noémi Fuchsz – Dávid Kraus