Geophysical and archaeological research on the Virje site: metal foundry from the late ancient period and the Early Middle Ages

Na arheološkom nalazištu Sušine kraj Virja u Podravini, tijekom 2013. godine provedena su geofizička istraživanja magnetskom metodom na površini od 10.700 m2 te potom i arheološka iskopavanja na pomno odabranoj površini od 300 m2 s ciljem dobivanja što preciznijih podataka o prepoznavanju i izgledu dijelova talioničke radionice na lokalitetu. Istražen je prostor na kojem se odlagao otpad iz radionice, nekoliko arheoloških cjelina identičnog izgleda za koje se pretpostavlja da su ostatci peći te naseobinski elementi iz prapovijesti i ranoga srednjeg vijeka. Oba provedena istraživanja su se međusobno nadopunjavala te predstavljaju veoma dobar uzorak za buduća interdisciplinarna istraživanja ove vrste arheoloških nalazišta.During 2013, geophysical research was carried out on the archaeological site Sušine near Virje in Podravina. The research was done using the magnetic method by applying the gradient means of measuring anomalies due to the existence of relatively more magnetic remains of metallurgic workshops, as well as measurements of magnetic susceptibility of the top layer of soil for determining the amount of surface contamination caused by the metallurgic trade in the Early Middle Ages. An area of 10.700 m2 was examined, of which a surface area of 300 m2 was later selected for further archaeological excavations. The researched area was selected based on archaeologically positive results of geophysical research. The aim of the research was to most accurately recognize the appearance of parts of a foundry on the entire location. The area researched was one on which the waste from the foundry was disposed of. Also several archaeological units of an identical appearance were examined which are believed to be the remains of the furnace as well as habitation elements of the Prehistoric Era and the Early Middle Ages. Both of the studies conducted were complementary and represent a very good sample for future interdisciplinary studies of this type of archaeological site