Neo-Eneolithic settlement pattern and salt exploitation in Romanian Moldavia

International audienceRomanian Moldavia is the focus of a study, initiated in 2005, on Neolithic-Eneolithic (6000–3500 BCE) settlement dynamics and salt exploitation. The underlying hypothesis is that exploitation of salt, along with that of copper and gold, contributed to the emergence of developed Eneolithic societies from the beginning of the 5th millennium BC. By approaching this process through its geographical dimension, from the beginning of the 6th millennium BC, one can measure the simultaneity of certain facts, be they social (the affirmation of elites), territorial (the appearance of controlling sites), or technical (first copper metallurgy, intensification of salt exploitation). The sub-Carpathian region of eastern Romania is particularly interesting, as the density of salt springs is much higher than elsewhere, salt exploitation dating to the Early Neolithic (Criș) and the region subsequently develops into an Eneolithic cultural centre (Precucuteni and Cucuteni) of unequalled wealth and importance. After a decade of research on the nature and use of the salt resources, together with the creation of an archaeological database covering the period from 6000 BCE to 3500 BCE, we can now undertake a preliminary assessment of the territorial strategies implemented by these societies in the eastern Carpathian region. Archaeological approaches are enhanced by use of powerful tools such as GIS and the application of spatial analysis methods thus enabling us to model settlement patterns and dynamics. Following on from these analyses, several results emerge. A coherent settlement model is observed for the Early Neolithic: the sites, which are often grouped together and currently inter-visible, are located in valley zones and on modest terraces close to minor water courses. With the appearance of the Linearbandkeramik (LBK) culture, this situation evolves: now much more dispersed, the settlements are established in more open landscape. In the first half of the 5th millennium, we witness a radical change in preferred topographical contexts: high-and mid-altitude terraces are favoured, a trend which is reflected in the establishment of settlements on open promontories which provide particularly commanding views over the wider area. Following a marked diversification in the forms of land use in the second half of the 5th millennium, the beginning of the 4th millennium is characterised by a densification of population centres and a strengthening of territorial control. Analyses of the accessibility of salt springs allow these observations to be further developed. Firstly, we note a significant increase in sites located close to salt springs in the period spanning the second half of the 5th millennium and the first half of the 4th millennium. It is precisely during these two phases that the exploitation of salt appears to increase. Secondly, the numbers of important fortified sites and prestige goods (copper axes) occurring close to salt springs illustrates the polarising role of salt resources