Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Trajan's Wall, archaeological monument of international importance in southern region

Research at Trajan's Upper Wall

In the autumn of 2024, fieldwork was conducted at the archaeological site Ecaterinovca–Ialpugeni–Valea Jeparului. The site was discovered in 2016 and represents a settlement with traces of habitation dating from the Gothic migration period (4th century AD) and the late Middle Ages (18th century).

It is situated in Valea Jeparului, also known as Valea Ecaterinovca, on the border of the estates of the villages Ecaterinovca and Ialpugeni.

The unique aspect of the settlement is its extension both north and south of Trajan's Upper Wall, being, so far, the only known site that overlaps this linear fortification.

During the archaeological survey, at a depth of 0.7 m from the present surface of the soil, the mouth of the VTS trench was identified, with a width of 6.1 m. The bottom of the trench was recorded at about 2.85 m below the current walking level, and its width at the base is 2.4 m. The profile of the linear fortification trench is approximately trapezoidal, according to the National Archaeological Agency.

National Archaeological Agency: Particularly valuable for dating the complex are the ceramic shards discovered in the lower part of the trench, belonging to both locally produced and imported ceramics, attributed to the Sântana de Mureș–Cerneahov culture.

Based on these stratigraphic information and archaeological materials, it is estimated that the embankment and trench of the linear fortification were arranged no later than the period of the Gothic migrations in the northern Danube regions (second half of the 3rd century – 4th century AD).

Archaeological data regarding these investigations has been recently presented at the national session of archaeological reports, Campaign 2024.

Historical Monument Trajan's Wall

Trajan's Wall is an archaeological monument (2nd century AD) of international importance, located at the exit of the village of Vadul lui Isac. It is 126 km long and stretches from the village of Vadul lui Isac to the city of Tatarbunar, on Ukrainian territory. The height of the wall does not exceed 1.5-3 m.

The historical monument Trajan's Wall is a fortification from the late ancient period, first documented on March 13, 1489. The walls are located in the southern part of Moldova and consist of two main branches: “lower” and “upper.”

The “lower” one is 126 km long and extends from the village of Vadul lui Isac to the city of Tatarbunar, on Ukrainian territory. The “upper” one is 138 km long, with its boundary between the town of Leova to the west and the village of Copanca near Chitcani to the east, and in Cimislia district near the villages of Pervomaisc, Gradiste, Costangalia, and Satul Nou.

Along Trajan's Lower Wall, scholars identify three sections. The first is 34 km, from the village of Vadul-lui-Isac to the village of Tabacu near Lake Ialpug. This section is characterized by the existence of a berm (a flat surface between the wall and the ditch). That section was carefully arranged and is best preserved.

The second section of the wall is found between Lakes Ialpug and Catlabuga. It differs from the first section only by the absence of the berm. Finally, the third section, between Lakes Catlabuga and Sasâc, was raised relatively carelessly.

The care with which the first section (the one starting at Vadul-lui-Isac) was raised is explainable because the concerned region was the most dangerous of the three, being an important strategic area near the Danube crossing. At the same time, it is assumed that the section starting at Vadul-lui-Isac was the first of the three to be raised.

Unfortunately, the passage of time has taken its toll on Trajan's Lower Wall. Even worse is that people have significantly contributed to the current state of this relic. Thus, a car road runs along the field parallel to the wall, affecting it.

Hoping that Trajan's Lower Wall will gain the tourist importance it deserves, we encourage you to visit it at the village of Vadul-lui-Isac in the Lower Prut Meadow.

Correspondent: Lilia Grubii