Annales d’Université Valahia Targoviste,

Section d’Archéologie et d’Histoire,

Tome XII, Numéro 2, 2010, p.57-66
ISSN: 1584-1855

A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county).

Alexandru Berzovan*, Eugen D. Pădureanu**

* Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai, Str. Mihail Kogalniceanu nr. 1, Cluj-Napoca, jud. Cluj, Romania,
[email protected]
**Aleea Dezna, nr 16, bl. X 17, ap. 19, Arad, jud. Arad, Romania, [email protected]

Abstract: A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county). Our interest regarding the ancient
Dacian finds from the Arad county has determined us to make a systematization of all the available data and to
re-asses the discoveries previsously known in the light of the informations available and novative directions of
investigations. In this work, we will present an interesting artifact discovered 37 years ago in the village of Şiria
(Arad county). In 1973, during a field investigation, professor Florian Dudaş has found, near the outskirst of
Şiria, a number of shards from a single large clay pot, having incised signs on them. According to professor
Florian Dudaş, the pottery shards where found in a clough located on the southern side of the acces road to the
summit of Cetatii Hill. In October 2010, we have made an extensive field research near the town of Siria, at the
foothils of Cetatii Hill, in order to locate the exact position of the archaeologicall objective where Dudaş had
found the incised shards. Unfortunately, we where not able to locate the objective. It might be possible that due
to the extensive slumping and landsliding which affects this side of the hill, the local micro-topography could
have changed significantly in the last three decades. The ceramic fragments discovered are parts of a large,
clumsily executed, hand-made vessel used probably to store provisions. Before burning, five distinctive signs
have been etched in its surface. Florian Dudas, who found the vessel, based on etnographic analogies he
conducted, has come to the conclusion that the five signs could represent a commercial tally. We believe, based
on the analogies and information we have at our disposal, that the five signs are rather Tamga signs. The origin
and functionality of the Tamga signs is quite controversial, with some authors believing them to have had their
origin in Central Asia, and others attributing their origin to the Iranian region (Asia Minor and Achaemenian
Empire). In the North-Pontic area, the Tamga-type signs are used for the first time by the Sarmatian tribes.
Through them, the signs start being used in the second half of the Ist Century B.C. in the Bosphoran Kingdom,
and starting with the Ist Century A.D., in pre-Roman Dacia. In the Dacian area, Tamga-type signs are utilized
both in during the independent kingdom’s period (Ist century AD) as well as in the II-IV A.D by some of the
„free” Dacian tribes mixed with Sarmatians. The Iaziges Sarmatians from the Pannonian Planes do not seem to
have used tamga signs frequently. The lack of archeological context and the relatively common shape of the
vessel have not allowed for a precise dating. The vessel could have been made at any point between the Ist and
IIIrd A.D. Regarding the incised signs, there are numerous similar sings to be found in the North-Pontic area.
The significance of these particular signs is difficult to establish at this stage in our research. Our opinion is that
they might have had magical functions.

Keywords: Dacians, Sarmatians, Şiria, Arad county, Zarand Mountains, Tamga signs, Magic signs

Foreword approaches. Therefore, in this study, we have

Our interest in Dacian antiquities found proposed to reinterpret an interesting
on the Arad county territories has determined us archeological artifact found close to the village of
to spend the last few years reinterpreting and Şiria 37 years ago.
organizing the already known information in the We find ourselves thanking those who
light of new discoveries and new research have helped write and research this article.

57
 Alexandru Berzovan, Eugen D. Pădureanu

Especially, we would like to thank Prof. Florian from the Dacian Kingdom’s period (1st century
Dudaş for the permission to reissue and BC to 1st century AD), as well as from centuries
reinterpret this find. We also thank Prof. Mihai 2 – 4 AD (Fl. Dudaş, 1974; S. A. Luca, 1985; E.
Sarcozi, the director of Beliu School, for his Pădureanu 1985; E. Pădureanu, 1988). From the
permission to study the presented artifact up top area of the hill, more precisely, from the
close. Last but not least, we thank senior lecturer medieval fortification’s ditch, several black,
Gelu Florea PhD and Vitalie Bârcă PhD, who unornamented hand-made ceramic fragments
have helped with advice throughout the whole have been recovered and dated roughly between
process of writing this paper. the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD
(E. Pădureanu, Fl. Dudaş). It is possible that the
Finding the Artifact medieval stronghold has been built over a much
In 1973, during a field survey conducted older Dacian one, such as in the cases Cladova,
close to Şiria, near Cetăţii Hill, Prof. Fl. Dudaş Şoimoş, Vărădia de Mures, all sites from the
(F. Dudaş 1973; F. Dudaş 1974; F. Dudaş 1981) Zărand Mountains (M. Barbu, 1993).
has discovered, among many other things, several
ceramic fragments, parts of a complete vessel of
large size, on the surface of which have been
etched, before firing, numerous symbols. The
vessel, roughly dated by the finder to be from the
second century AD and connected with other
similar finds from the area, has been partially
reconstructed and donated to the Beliu School
Museum, Arad Couty.
In the spring of 2008, while reading one
of Prof. Fl. Dudaş’ works our attention was
caught by the photographs and descriptions of the
marked ceramic fragments (F. Dudaş, 1981).
Later I have asked and received the author’s
permission to republish and reinterpret the finds.
On 23rd of October 2010 I have Fig. 1 – Şiria, Dealul Cetăţii, the known
conducted a field survey of the Cetăţii Hill area archaeological objectives and the
from Şiria to attempt and locate the archeological investigated area from where it seems that
site from where the fragments have been the pot was found (Google earth image,
recovered. According to the information received elevation exaggerated two times).
from the author, the ceramic fragments have been
recovered from a site close to the city, to be We need to mention the fact that from
precise, from a ravine found south of the road to the walls of the medieval stronghold, Roman
the television relay. The locals have information bricks have been recovered, some bearing the
according to which clay vessels containing seal of the XIII Legion Gemina (S. Marki, 1895).
various “metal objects” have been found in the Close to the television and radio relay, have been
same area (information provided by E. D. found signs of a so called “Roman” tower, as
Pădureanu). Our field survey, concentrated on the well as a bronze coin dating from the reign of
area indicated by Prof. Dudaş (fig.1), has not Antonius Pius (O. Greffner, 1976; M. Barbu,
been as successful as hoped. In many areas, E. Ivanov, 1980). The origin of these items
because of the abundant vegetation, we could not presents a problem, as their presence could
conduct a reliable survey. It is also possible that indicate a possible Roman observation post. That
the local micro-relief has been severely altered in being said, it is just as possible that the material
the past three decades by the landfalls affecting in question has been brought to the area later,
this side of the Cetăţii Hill. when the medieval stronghold was built. We can
The archeological site, even though it however hope that further inquiries will shed
has not been presently localized with precision, light on the issue.
can be linked to other sites nearby (fig.1). Thus,
from Cetăţii Hill, in the area of the terrace called Description and Categorization
“La Zoape”, have been recovered a significant The 14 ceramic fragments come; it
number of ceramic fragments dating roughly seems, from the upper part of a storage vessel of

Tome XII, Numero 2, 2010 58

 A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county)

the “melon” type (fig. 2-3), of local production. It diameter at 29 centimeters. The vessel has been
was hand-made. The clay was of low quality, of a adorned in its upper part with two girdles,
brownish-red color, and coarse sand has been measuring about 1 centimeter in height and
used as added agent. The firing is uneven, most located at a distance of 10 centimeters one from
likely undertaken in an open-air furnace. Using another. Five distinct tamga-like symbols have
been incised in the upper area of the vessel,
before the clay hardened, with a sharp object
(fig. 4-5). For convenience’s sake, we have
numbered the symbols (tab. 1).

Tab. 1 –The sings from the pot (without

respecting the dimensions)

Based on the fabrication process we have

described above, we have made some
observations. Thus, based on the low quality of
Fig. 2 – The reconstructed pot (drawing) the clay, the uneven diameter of the mouth (and
of the vessel in general), but as well as on the
lines drawn but never erased which helped apply
the girdles (fig. 4-5), we conclude that the vessel
is of modest quality, most likely made in a
homestead, not in a specialized workshop.
We cannot date the vessel precisely due
to the lack of the archaeological context and the
relatively common shape of the vessel, a shape
which has been found both in the Dacian
Kingdom’s period (see I. H. Crişan, 1978;
V. Căpitanu, 1986; V. Ursachi, 1995), as well as
in the later centuries (E. Dörner, 1968; I. H.
Crişan, 1969; D. Benea, 1996; Gh. Bichir, 1973).
Thus, since the only valid guide we have in
dating the vessel are the Tamga-type signs
themselves which appear in pre-Roman Dacia
only in the second part of the 1st century AD
(C. Beldiman, 1991), the vessel could have been
made at any time between the 1st and 3rd centuries
AD.

Fig. 3 – The reconstructed pot Discussions

The author of the discovery, Fl. Dudaş,
believes the symbols on the vessel to be
only the found fragments, a full dimensional commercial tallies. Therefore, based on
reconstruction is impossible to undertake, ethnographic analogies, he interpreted symbol
however, the diameter of the mouth of the vessel nr.1 as a measuring scale, symbol nr.3 as a
seems to be somewhere between 22.5 and 25.5 plough, symbol nr. 4 as a schematic
centimeters. Based on the typology of the pot, we representation of a vessel, and symbol nr. 5 as a
have estimated its height at approximately 50 shepherd’s staff. The interpretation has been
centimeters, the diameter of the bottom part at correlated to the agro-pastoral occupations of the
around 20 centimeters, and a maximum girth

59 Tome XII, Numero 2, 2010

 Alexandru Berzovan, Eugen D. Pădureanu

Dacian population (Fl. Dudaş, 1973; Fl. Dudaş,

1981). We believe, based on the analogies we
have made and on the information we have at our
disposal that the five symbols are in fact Tamgas.

Fig. 4 –A detailed view of the area where the

signs were (photo ).

Fig. 6 - The tamga “enciclopedia”

from Krivoi Rog, drawing (after
S. A. Jacenko, 2001, pl. 12)

The origin and utility of the Tamga-type

signs is rather controversial. According to some
authors, the origin of the signs is to be found in
the Sino-Siberian space (C. Beldiman, 1991)
while others believe that their origin lies in the
Iranian area (G. Vernadsky, 1956; J. Boardman,
1998; S. A. Jacenko, 2001). In Asia Minor and
Achaemenid Iran symbols very similar to the
Tamga signs and with a variety of functions such
as mason’s signs,personalized markers, monetary
checks, or coats of arms belonging to aristocratic
clans or rulers, have been in usage since at least
the 4th and 5th centuries BC (J. Boardman, 1998;
V. S. Ol’hovskij, 2001; A. S. Jacenko, 2001).
In the North-Pontic steppe, the Tamga-type signs
are introduced for the first time by the Sarmatians
(C. Beldiman, 1991; S. A. Jacenko, 2001).
Through the migrations of the nomadic
Sarmatians, the signs are carried, at the start of
Fig. 5– A detailed view of the area where the second half of the 1st century BC in the
signs were incised (drawing). Bosphoran Kingdom (V. S. Dračuk, 1975), and
in the second half of the 1st century AD in the
territory of the Dacian Kingdom (C. Beldiman,

Tome XII, Numero 2, 2010 60

 A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county).

1991). The Tamga signs have been applied on a (tab. 2/16) and dated roughly at 3rd century AD
large array of objects: clay pots, mirrors, coins, (S. A. Jacenko, 2001). In the pre-Roman Dacian
finery, etc. The collections of Tamga signs (and environment, a symbol incised after firing on a
other glyphs) incised on different stone locally made gray vessel fragment discovered in
monuments are known in archeological circles as the dava-type settlement of Răcătău (tab. 3/30)
“enciclopedies” (V. S. Ol’hovskij, 2001; S. A. and dated at the end of the 1st century AD
Yatsenko, 2001). Such “encyclopedias” can also (C. Beldiman, 1991) bears some resemblance to
be found in Romania at Ditrău (information our symbol. Considering the fact that quite often
received from Gh. Lazarovici), and in the area of a number of complex Tamga signs are created by
the Stânişoarei Mountains (information received combining several simpler “models” we cannot
from L. Măruia). exclude the possibility that symbol nr.1 might
The purpuse of the Tamga-type signs have been in fact created by combining two
varies and it seems to be most diverse: simpler and more common elements (for
personalization markers, tribal and aristocratic example, by superimposing tab. 3/3 and tab 3/17,
symbols, markings signaling the acquiring of a etc).
territory by a certain group, magical and religious Symbol nr.2 (tab. 1/2) has close analogies
symbols, ornaments (V. S. Dračuk, 1975; in the North-Pontic area at Pantikapaion (tab. 2/15),
C. Beldiman, 1991; V. S. Ol’hovskij, 2001) and where a similar symbol can be found in an
in some cases they have been applied without any “encyclopedia” etched in a limestone plaque. A
specific purpose (V. S. Dračuk, 1975). similar symbol has been etched in the
In the case of the symbols found on the “encyclopedia” type stella from Krivoi Rog, in the
vessel at hand, we will first clarify a few aspects Dnpropetrovsk area (fig. 6, tab. 2/17), dated
with regard to the analogies made. Thus, the roughly at 1st and 2nd centuries AD (S. A. Jacenko,
Tamga-type signs can be “read” from different 2001). A symbol found on an artifact discovered at
angles, and the multitude of ways in which the Mărunţei (tab 4/29), in Daco-Carpic area, has as a
graphic elements making them up can be central “piece” a symbol somewhat similar to our
combined (S. A. Jacenko, 2001) forces us to own.
bring into discussion, when analyzing their Symbol nr. 3 (tab. 1/3) represents a simple,
meaning, “indelicate” analogies. That being said, relatively common shape. Similar – and even exact
we have considered only those analogies that replicas – symbols can be found in the Northern
chronologically fit in the timeframe of the part of the Black See on two limestone
discovery at hand (1st to 3rd centuries AD). We “encyclopedias”, discovered on the territory of the
have to take into account that the similarities former Bosphoran Kingdom (tab. 2/8, 9) as well as
between Tamga-type signs used by different in a number of other places.
cultures at different time periods and in different Symbol nr. 4 (tab. 1/4) also has analogies
areas cannot be always accounted by “loans”, but in the North-Pontic area. A similar symbol has been
rather independent evolutions starting from of a incised in a fresco discovered in Scythian Neapolis
few basic prototypes available (V. S. Dračuk, (tab. 2/11). Another one, similar in form (tab. 2/11),
1972; V. S. Dračuk, 1975; V. S. Ol’hovskij, can be found incised in an “encyclopedia” on the
2001). walls of a barrow tomb from Kerci, and dated
Symbol nr. 1 (tab. 1/1) has numerous roughly in the 1st century AD (H. Nickel, 1973). In
analogies in the North-Pontic area. Thus, a the Daco-Carpic area, at Butnăreşti, a grey vessel,
similar symbol has been incised in the discovered in a pottery workshop, bears incised
“encyclopedia” found on the marble lion nr.1 several Tamga-type signs, one of them strikingly
from Olbia (tab. 2/4, 5, 6). Another similar similar to symbol nr.4 from our vessel (tab. 4/7).
symbol (fig. 6; tab. 2/14) can be found on the Symbol nr. 5 (tab. 1/5) could be taken at
“encyclopedia”-type stella from Krivoi Rog, in first glance as an ornament or a randomly made
the Dniepropetrovsk area, dated roughly from the incision. However, its location near the other
1st and 2nd centuries AD (S. A. Jacenko, 2001). incised symbols as well as the analogies found
We can consider as an “indelicate” analogy for elsewhere (for example, tab. 2/1, 2, 3, 10) seem to
our symbol, the symbol incised on an show that this symbol might be in its turn a Tamga-
“encyclopedia” limestone bloc discovered at type sign or even a symbolical and simplistic
Pantikapaion (tab. 2/13), and another one incised representation of a snake, similar to those found on
in a “encyclopedia” granite bloc found at Obuhov certain miniature rectangular vessels or Sarmatian

61 Tome XII, Numéro 2, 2010

 Alexandru Berzovan, Eugen D. Pădureanu

Table 2 –Tamga signs in the north-pontic area, 1 st century B.C. – 3 rd century A.D. (without respecting
the dimensions):
1, 2, 3 - Pictograms and tamga-typse signs (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 110 şi tab. II/106, 107, 108); 4, 5, 6
- Signs incised on the marble lion nr. 1 from Olbia, Ermitaj Museum (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 115 and
tab. IV/219, 220 and p. 119 and Tab. V/338); 7 - Sign incised on a bronze mirror found on the territory
of the Bosphoran Kingdom, Ermitaj Museum (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 119 and tab. VI/359); 8 - Sign
incised on a limestone plate – “encyclopedia” found on the territory of the Bosphoran Kingdom, The
Museum of History and Archaeology from Kerch (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 120 and tab. VI/403); 9 -
Sing incised on a limestone plate found on the territory of the Bosphoran Kingdom, Museum of
Novocerkassk (V. S. Dračuk. 1975, p. 120 and Tab. VI/405); 10 - Sing incised on the walls of the cave
Ak Kaia I from Belogorsk, Crimeea (Dračuk 1975, p. 123, tab. VII/509); 11 - Sign incised on a
fragment of fresco discovered in Scythian Neapolis, (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 122 and tab. VII/456); 12
- Sign incised on a clay pot discovered at Tanaias (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 131 and tab. X/795); 13 -
Sign incised on a tomb limestone plate discovered at Pantikapaion, Museum of History and
Archaeology from Kerci (V. S. Dračuk, 1975, p. 135 and tab. XII/895); 14 - Sign incised on a stela
from Krivoi Rog, Dniepropietrovsk region (S. A. Jacenko, 2001, pl.12); 15 - Sign incised on a
limestone plate discovered at Pantikapaoion, Museum of History and Archaeology from Kerci (V. S.
Dračuk, 1975, p. 137 and tab. XIII/43); 16 - Tamga sign incised on a granite boulder discovered at
Obuhov, Kiev region (S. A. Jacenko, 2001, pl. 6/123); 17 - Sign incised on a stela from Krivoi Rog,
Dniepropietrovsk region (S. A. Jacenko, 2001, pl.12); 18 - Sign incised on the walls of the chamber of
a tumular grave at Kerci dated in the Ist century AD.(H. Nickel, 1973, fig.3 and fig. 4).

Tome XII, Numero 2, 2010 62

 A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county).

Table 3 – Tamga signs and Tamga-like signs in Dacia before the Roman conquest, I st century A.D. –
2 nd century A.D. (without respecting the dimensions):
1 - Sign incised on a limestone block found on the XIth terrace at Sarmizegetusa Regia (G. Gheorghiu
2005, fig. 246/a); 2 - Sign incised on an object made out of bone found at Brad (C. Beldiman, 1991,
fig.1/1; V. Ursachi, 1995, pl.29/1); 3 - Sign incised on a sarmatian sifter found at Dumbrava (S. Sanie,
Ş. Sanie, 1973, fig. 12/11; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/2); 4 - Sign incised on a sarmatian clay pot found
at Dumbrava (S. Sanie, Ş. Sanie, 1973, fig. 13, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/3); 5 - Sign incised five times
on a clay jar, of locall production, discovered at Moigrad (M. Macrea, D. Protase, M. Rusu, 1961, fig.
8/4; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/4 ); 6, 7 - Signs incised after firing on a local amphora discovered at
Poiana (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/5, şi fig. 1/6); 8 - Sign in relief made on a locally produced pot
discovered at Poiana (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/7); 9 - Sign incised before firing on a patera type
vessel, imported from the north-pontic area, found at Poiana (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/8); 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16 - Signs incised on a bone object discovered at Poiana (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/9, 1/10,
1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15); 17, 18 - Signs incised on a bone object discovered at Poiana (C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/16 şi 1/17); 19 - Sign incised on a bone artifact discovered at Poiana (C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig.1/18); 20 - Sign incised on a pixida discovered at Poiana, imported from the
north-pontic area (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 1/19); 21 - Sign incised before firing on a locally produced
jar discovered at Răcătău. (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 1/20); 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 - Signs incised
after firing on a grey pottery shard, part of a locally produced pot, discovered at Răcătău (C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig. 1/21, 1/22, 1/23, 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 1/27, 1/28); 30. Sign incised after firing on a
grey pottery shard, part of a locally produced pot, discovered at Răcătău (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.
1/29); 31 - Sign incised after firing on a kantharos discovered at Sânsimion (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.
1/30); 32 - Sign incised after firing on a pottery shard, part of a locally produced amphora, discovered
at Sânsimion (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 1/31); 33, 34 - Signs incised after firing on a bowl discovered at
Cernat (V. Crişan, 2000, pl. 68); 35 - Sign incised on a clay object found at Brad (V. Ursachi, 1995, pl.
213/4); 36 - Sign incised on a pottery shard discovered at Brad (V. Ursachi, 1995, pl. 201/7); 37 - Sign
incised on a pottery shard discovered at Brad (V. Ursachi, 1995, pl. 199/7); 38, 39, 40 - Signs incised
after firing on a pottery shard discovered at Cetăţeni (D. Măndescu, 2006, pl. 16/17).

63 Tome XII, Numéro 2, 2010

 Alexandru Berzovan, Eugen D. Pădureanu

Tabel 4 –Tamga signs and Tamga-like signs in Dacia, 2 nd century AD - to 3 rd century A.D. (after C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5):
1 - Sign incised after firing on a clay pot discovered at Poiana-Dulceşti - Varniţa (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CL/3, C.
Beldiman 1991, fig. 5/1); 2 - Sign incised after firing on a clay pot discovered at Poiana-Dulceşti, Varniţa (Gh.
Bichir, 1973, pl. CLIII/5, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/2); 3 - Sign incised after firing on a clay pot discovered at
Poiana – Dulceşti, Varniţa, (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CLI/1, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/3; 4 - Sign incised after firing
on a clay pot discovered at Poiana Dulceşti, Silişte (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CXXIII/5-6, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.
5/4) 5 - Sign incised on a firedog discovered at Poiana-Dulceşti, Transformator (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CLII/5, C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/5) 6 - Sign incised on a clay pot discovered at Poiana Dulceşti, Varniţa (Gh. Bichir, 1973,
pl. CLI/2; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/6) 7 - Signs incised on a grey pot discovered at Butnăreşti in a potters
workshop (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl.LXIV/3, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/7) 8 - Sign incised on a pot discovered at
Poiana-Dulceşti, Varniţa (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl.CLII/2, C. Beldiman 1991, fig.5/8). 9 - Sign incised on a pot
discovered at Poiana-Dulceşti, Silişte (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CLI/3, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/9) 10 - Sign incised
on a pot discovered at Homiceni (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/10) 11 - Sign incised after firing on a pot discovered
at Homiceni (E. Petrişor, 1987, fig.3/2; C. Beldiman 1991, fig. 5/11) 12 - Found at Vlădiceni (C. Beldiman,
1991, fig. 5/12) 13 - Sign applied on a mirror template found at descoperit la Buriaş-Periş (C. Preda, 1986, fig.1,
C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/13) 14 - Found at Onceşti (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/14) 15 - Found at Dulceanca (C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/15) 16 - Found at Dumitreştii Gălăţii (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/16) 17 - Found at
Holboca (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/17) 18 - Sign incised on clay a pot found at Bucureşti Militari (Gh. Bichir,
1984, pl. LIV/1; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/18) 19 - Sign incised on a Sarmatian- ype mirror found at Focşani
(Gh. Untaru, S. Morintz, 1962, fig. 2/11; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/19) 20 - Found at Unţeşti (C. Beldiman,
1991, fig. 5/20) 21 - Sign incised on a Sarmatian type mirror found Sebeş - Alba (Al. Aldea, 1971, fig. 1; C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/21) 22, 23 - Signs applied on two Sarmatian type mirrors discovered at Vârteşcoiu (Gh.
Bichir, 1973, pl. CLXXIII/3; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/22, 23) 24 - Sign applied on a sarmatian mirror found at
Pădureni (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CLXXIII/3; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/24) 25 - Found at Târgşor (C. Beldiman,
1991, fig.5/25) 26 - Found at Gălăneşti - Bărboasa (C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/26) 27 - Sign applied on a
Sarmatian type mirror found at Pădureni (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CXXIV/4; C. Beldiman 1991, fig.5/27) 28 -
Found at Dridu-Movilă (C. Beldiman 1991, fig. 5/28) 29 - Found at Mărunţei (Gh. Bichir, M. Butoi, 1975, fig. 1-
2; C. Beldiman 1991, fig.5/29) 30 - Sign applied on a Sarmatian type mirror found at Pădureni (Gh. Bichir, 1973,
pl. CLXXIII/5; C. Beldiman, 1991, fig.5/30) 31 - Found at Mitoc (E. Zaharia, 1959, fig. 3d; C. Beldiman, 1991,
fig. 5/31) 32 - Found at Olteniţa - Ulmeni (C. Beldiman, fig. 5/32) 33 - Sign applied on a Sarmatian type mirror
found at Pădureni (Gh. Bichir, 1973, pl. CLXXIV/2, C. Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/33) 34 - Found at Târgşor (C.
Beldiman, 1991, fig. 5/34) 35 - Found at Balinteşti-Cioinagi (E. Zaharia, 1959, fig. 3/2, C. Beldiman 1991, fig.
5/35) 36 - Found at Ghermăneşti (C. Beldiman 1991, fig. 5/36).

Tome XII, Numero 2, 2010 64

 A clay pot with tamga signs discovered at Şiria (Arad county).

origin (A. Vaday, P. Megyesi, 1993; A. Vaday, Iazigi period (1st to 2nd centuries AD) we are aware
2000), discovered in the Pannonian Planes of only one Tamga-type symbol applied on a
and dated roughly at the end of the 4th and the golden jewel of North-Pontic origin, discovered
beginning of the 5th centuries AD (A. Vaday, at Dunaharaszti (A. Vaday, 1989). Only starting
P. Megyesi, 1993). with the 4th century AD, in the context of new
The interpretation of these symbols and groups arriving from the North-Pontic area – a
the “message” they want to convey is much is fact which had deep cultural impact – will
limited by the absence of archeological context Tamga-type signs appear, albeit rarely
and of a clear dating. The categorization of the (A. Vaday, P. Megyesi, 1993).
vessel, based on type, within the Dacian material Conclusions
culture, is not necessarily relevant considering the The issue of cultural and spiritual
fact that during the 2nd through 4th centuries AD, in exchanges between Dacians and Sarmatians has
the Arad Plains, one finds the Dacians and not yet been clearly covered.
Sarmatians living together (E. Dörner, 1971; For now, it is not at all certain whether the
E. Dörner, 1974; P. Hügel, M. Barbu, 1996; Dacian people really adopted the usage of Tamga
P. Hügel, 1999). signs, or they where simply copying infrequently
We believe that the marking of the vessel such patterns from their Sarmatian neighbors.
before it was fired indicates that both the vessel Anyway, the presence of artifacts with Tamga
and the symbols have been made according to a signs in the Western Plains of Romania might be
single plan. As far as the symbols on the vessel a proof of cultural connections of the Dacians
are concerned, they could show ownership, be and Sarmatians from the western Romanian plain
tribal emblems, or have a religious and/or with other areas of Dacia, as well as with the
mystical signification. We, for our part, lean more distant North-Pontic steppes.
toward the latter possibility, as symbols showing As far as our discovery is concerned, the
ownership appear on more “significant” objects absence of a clear archeological context, the
usually discovered in and around tombs (S.A. rough dating and the generally “problematic”
Jacenko, 2010), and we have no knowledge of character of the symbols themselves, have not
similar symbols found on objects in the area allowed for pertinent conclusions to arise. We are
which would signal that the incised Tamga signs left hoping that future investigations will increase
could be the emblems of a Sarmatian or Dacian our knowledge and will permit new and perhaps
tribe settled in the area. clearer conclusions to be drawn.
Based on the discoveries made so far, we
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