Join our research in the South-Central Acropolis Sector to discover the oldest city on the territory of Romania, founded by Greek colonists from Miletus in the 7th century BC.
The archaeological excavations at Histria provide essential data on the urban, economic, and cultural evolution of the oldest Greek colony on the territory of Romania.
Research in the ACS Sector, started by a team from the University of Bucharest in 2013, uses the principal method of archaeology — the stratigraphic methodThe stratigraphic method is the principal method used in archaeology: it investigates the succession of soil layers and their relationship to the various structures or archaeological materials inside or associated with them, in order to understand the archaeological complexes investigated. More precisely, an archaeological site resembles a cake, in which the oldest layers are at the bottom. This succession establishes a relative chronology (finds in the upper layer are more recent, those in the lower layer are older) for the materials and structures in each layer. An absolute chronology can also be established when materials can be dated more or less precisely — using written or iconographic sources (inscriptions, coins, etc.) for the historical period, or using physico-chemical methods (radiocarbon, OSL, etc.) for prehistory. In the ACS Sector we also use a household archaeology approach to interpreting finds, tracing associations within archaeological deposits.. Excavations have brought to light a late Roman quarter (6th–7th c. AD) that includes spaces dedicated to food storage (in large storage vessels — chiupuri, or dolia in Latin), as well as spaces for storing and preparing food — namely kitchens or tabernae. We have also identified two interior courtyards, with installations for managing rainwater or perhaps household water.
Another important discovery is the cutting of a new street over older, abandoned dwellings, connecting two paleochristian basilicas and attesting for the first time the implementation of a Christian urban plan at Histria.
Ceramic finds, coins, metal objects, as well as faunal and plant remains, tell us about the daily life of the city's inhabitants — especially in the 6th–7th c. AD period, but also in earlier periods (the Greek or early Roman period).
(Bucătărie 2 centru)
Director
Valentin Bottez is the founder and director of the Laboratory, as well as the scientific coordinator of the Acropolis Centre-South Sector (UB) at Histria and of the Beidaud Archaeological Microzone. His main interests are ancient urbanism and its evolution across historical periods, and territorial occupation strategies in antiquity within the territories of ancient cities. Another research direction pursued by Valentin Bottez is the study of Greco-Roman religions, in particular the Roman imperial cult, but also the cult of the ‘Oriental’ gods in the Roman Empire (especially Mithras).
Founding member
Alexandra Țârlea is a member of the Laboratory, as well as a member of the teams carrying out research in the Acropolis Centre-South Sector (UB) at Histria and in the Beidaud Archaeological Microzone. Her main interests within the two projects are: small finds (especially metal objects), ancient glass, archaeometry, and household archaeology.
LADT member
She is a member of the University of Bucharest research team conducting archaeological investigations in the “Acropolis Centre-South” Sector at Histria and in the Beidaud Archaeological Microregion. She is responsible for the inventory and primary conservation of the archaeological materials discovered during the research, as well as for the management, processing and study of Roman-era ceramic artefacts. Her main interests concern classical archaeology, the ancient economy and ceramic production in the western Black Sea region.
Founding member
Member of the archaeological research projects Acropolis Centre-South Sector (Histria) and Beidaud Archaeological Microzone. Areas of interest: Homer, archaic and classical Greece, Greek religion, Greek epigraphy, Digital Humanities.
The project to construct the archaeological base at Histria provides the spaces needed to accommodate students and to store, clean and preliminarily analyse materials discovered in the field. The newly created infrastructure allows conservation activities to be carried out on site.
Learn moreArchaeological research requires consistent resources. With your support, we can continue uncovering the past and making it accessible to the public.
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Members of our team participated in the 60th edition of the National Session of Archaeological Reports, where they presented the main results of the 2025 archaeological campaigns at Histria (ACS Sector) and Beidaud.
Learn moreOn 7-8 May 2026, the international conference „Second-Hand World. An interdisciplinary approach to recycling, reuse and resource optimization in ancient and traditional societies” took place at the Accademia di Romania in Rome.
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