398 / 530
397
What we can state for now is that the number of archeologically documented
settlements remains reduced. Only settlements found near the forts and
vici militares
are documented, as those found at Tibiscum, Praetorium, perhaps Berzobis.
In other cases, when reffering to the Almăj area, the scarce presence of rural
distanced settlements was determined by harsh living conditions, and only raising
cattle was at the utmost importance.
Southwest Dacia, especially the hilly area comprises less favorable large-
scale agriculture. It could ensure local needs of the communities, but had no
meaning in the export market. Instead, we believe that farming could meet the
needs of provincial payments to the Roman State and could provide an important
basis for exchange. The two sections of
conductores
,
found at Tibiscum and Micia
are relevant in this respect, making a point in controlling the occupation and of the
pastures above all. Dalboşeţ and perhaps, Lăpuşnicel could have served as head-
quarters for imperial domeins, or even as seats of great senators, for whom we do
not posess epigraphical clues so far, as I. Piso supposes.
The property forms the basis of small and medium agricultural economy in
the province, which originally was accomplished by veteran colonization. It would
explain in a large extent the large number of knights found in the major cities of the
province as Ulpia Traiana (17), Apulum (17), although the only senator mentioned
in Apulum was Gemellus P. Aelius.
In the Banat Mountains the metal exploitations areas are grouped as follows:
Reşita (Semenic Mountains), Bocşa–Ocna de Fier–Dognecea–Oraviţa–Sasca–
Moldova Nouă (Locvei Mountains), Ruşchiţa (Poiana Ruscă Mountains), Bozovici.
These areas were rich in iron, nonferrous metals such as copper, lead, silver and
lesser amounts of gold etc.
Banat mineral resources have since early times attracted the attention of
Romans. As expected immediately after the formation of Dacia, mining came under
Roman administration for organization and administration. We do not have any
clue on how minerals were exploited in pre Roman period.
Southwest Dacia
formed a
complex mining district
. It contained two large
areas rich in mineral resources. The first one is grouped around today settlements
of Bocşa, Ocna de Fier, Berzovia, Eftimie Murgu, maybe Dognecea, for which
there is still no conclusive epigraphic evidence found. A special place here has
Centum Putea
toponym identified in the literature to Surducu Mare. Since the
ancient city appears on the defensive line route from Lederata–Tibiscum, represented
on
Tabula Peutingeriana
, this has led to the location of the military center with
mining toponimy at Surducu Mare.
V. Wollmann raised the hipothesis that this toponym should refer to Moldova
Nouă, where evident clues of intense mining activity appear. The toponym apears
only very late on Tabula Peutingeriana, an error could occur if we consider the two
centers. The hipothesis is even more interesting and we do believe in its accuracy.
At the same time, it is possible that one of the two centers, either the one from
Bocşa or Ocna de Fier found closer to the area in discussion to have beared this
toponym during ancient times. The second area is concentrated in southern Banat,