This article presents information on the findings relating to the Thraco-Getian period, which have been identified as a result of archaeological excavations in 2009-2012 on the site of Saharna Mare.

In examining orthophotomaps and the results and geomagnetic prospecting there was discovered a new defensive line traced over 650 m to the north, east and south sides of the cape. Its ends are connected to the "wall" on the west side, thus forming an integral defensive system surrounding the fortress on all sides and having an area of approximately 6 hectares. This recently discovered defensive line represents a "rampart" barely visible on the current surface of the soil, having at the base a width of 3 m and a height of about 0.3-0.4 m. Toward the east this "rampart" meanders, forming eight bastions grouped in four on the northern and southern flanks.

As a result of archaeological investigation it was found that the identified "rampart" is the remains of a defensive wall built of two rows of wooden poles dug vertically into the mainland. The space between rows was filled with stones and earth, thus forming a fortification of about 1.1-1.6 m width.

In the settlement there were also examined two above-ground structures, 36 household pits and fairly rich and varied inventory attributable to the 8th/7th - 3rd centuries BC.

Judging by its strategic location, powerful defensive structures, and by the findings found in the area of the site, it can be assumed that the fortified settlement of Saharna Mare was an important economic, political, administrative and military center of the Middle Dniester region.

List of illustrations:

Fig. 1. Geographical and topographical location of the Saharna Mare site.

Fig. 2. Saharna Mare. Topographic plan and magnetometric map.

Fig. 3. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavations 13/2009 and 14/2010.

Fig. 4. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 13A/2010.

Fig. 5. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 15/2010-2011.

Fig. 6. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 16/2010.

Fig. 7. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 17/2011.

Fig. 8. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 18/2012.

Fig. 9. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 19/2012.

Fig. 10. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 20/2012.

Fig. 11. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 21/2012.

Fig. 12. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the excavation 22/2012.

Fig. 13. Saharna Mare. Defensive line on the northeast side of the cape: 1 - orthophotomap; 2 - location of the bastions; 3 - topographic map; 4 - magnetometric map; 5 - view from the south to the bastions no. 2 and no. 3; 6 - view from the west to the bastion no. 2.

Fig. 14. Saharna Mare. Bastion no. 2: 1 - traces of burning in the ruins of the bastion; 2 - charred beam; 3 - Pit of a pole from the structure of the bastion; 4 - section through the structure of a „wall"; 5 - profile of the excavation no. 19.

Fig. 15. Saharna Mare. Objects found in the ruins of a defensive „wall" and within the bastion no. 2 (1, 3 - bronze; 2, 4 - iron; 7-13 - clay; 11, 14 - bone; 15 - horn)

Fig. 16. Saharna Mare. Pottery found in the ruins of a defensive „wall" of the bastion no. 2.

Fig. 17. Saharna Mare. Pottery found within the bastion no. 2.

Fig. 18. Saharna Mare. Remains of a defensive „wall" in the eastern side of the fortress: 1 - stones from filling; 2 - stone filling and an contour of the ditch behind the wall; 3, 4 - pole-pits from the construction of defensive „wall"; 5 - profile of the excavation no. 17.

Fig. 19. Saharna Mare. Material found in the ruins of a defensive „wall" (excavation 17).

Fig. 20. Saharna Mare. Remains of a defensive „wall" in the southern side of the fortress (excavation 20).

Fig. 21. Saharna Mare. Stone structures at the base of a defensive „wall" (excavation 20).

Fig. 22. Saharna Mare. Material from the filling of a defensive „wall" (excavations 21 and 22).

Fig. 23. Saharna Mare. Variant of reconstruction of a Thraco-Getae defensive „wall".

Fig. 24. Saharna Mare. Contour of the defensive line of the 5th/4th - 3rd centuries BC.

Fig. 25. Saharna Mare. Structure no. 4: 1 - plan and profile; 2-4 - remnants of charred poles in situ.

Fig. 26. Saharna Mare. Structure no. 4. Fragments of fired clay with prints of twigs from the debris .

Fig. 27. Saharna Mare. Oven from the structure no. 4.

Fig. 28. Saharna Mare. Findings from the structure no. 4.

Fig. 29. Saharna Mare. Structure no. 4. Pottery.

Fig. 30. Saharna Mare. Structure no. 5: 1 - ruins of the structure; 2 - contour of the pole-pits at the base of structure.

Fig. 31. Saharna Mare. Findings from the structure no. 5.

Fig. 32. Saharna Mare. 1 - Plan and profile of the pit no. 141; 2 - plan and profile of the pit no. 142; 3 - plan and profile of the pit no. 143; 4 - plan and profile of the pit no. 144; 5 - plan and profile of the pit no. 145; 6 - plan and profile of the pit no. 146; 7 - plan and profile of the pit no. 147; 8-10 - findings from the pit no. 141; 11-15 - findings from the pit no. 142; 16-18 - findings from the pit no. 143; 19-21 - findings from the pit no. 146; 22, 23 - findings from the pit no. 147.

Fig. 33. Saharna Mare. Pit no. 148: 1 - plan and profile; 2-6 - findings from the pit.

Fig. 34. Saharna Mare. Pit no. 149: 1 - plan and profile; 2-12 - findings from the pit.

Fig. 35. Saharna Mare. 1 - Plan and profile of the pit no. 150; 2 - plan and profile of the pits no. 113, no. 151, and no. 152.

Fig. 36. Saharna Mare. 1-3 - Findings from the pit no. 150; 4-9 - findings from the pit no. 151; 10-12 - findings from the pit no. 152.

Fig. 37. Saharna Mare. 1 - Plan and profile of the pit no. 153; 2 - plan and profile of the pit no. 154.

Fig. 38. Saharna Mare. 1 - Findings from the pit no. 153; 2-9 - findings from the pit no. 154.

Fig. 39. Saharna Mare. Pit no. 155: 1 - plan and profile of the pit; 2-15 - findings from the pit.

Fig. 40. Saharna Mare. 1 - Plan and profile of the pit no. 156; 2 - plan and profile of the pit no. 157; 3 - plan and profile of the pit no. 158.

Fig. 41. Saharna Mare. 1-6 - Findings from the pit no. 156; 7-10 - findings from the pit no. 157; 11-17 - findings from the pit no. 158.

Fig. 42. Saharna Mare. 1 - Plan and profile of the pits no. 159 and no. 160; 2 - plan and profile of the pit no. 161; 3 - plan and profile of the pit no. 162.

Fig. 43. Saharna Mare. 1 - Findings from the pit no. 159; 2 - findings from the pit no. 160; 3-6 - findings from the pit no. 161; 7 - findings from the pit no. 162.

Fig. 44. Saharna Mare. Plan and profile of the pits without chronological indicators, attributed to the Thraco-Getae horizon.

Fig. 45. Saharna Mare. Iron tools from the cultural layer.

Fig. 46. Saharna Mare. Items of bone (1-4) and horn (5) from the cultural layer.

Fig. 47. Saharna Mare. Stone tools from the cultural layer.

Fig. 48. Saharna Mare. Clay utensils from the cultural layer.

Fig. 49. Saharna Mare. Weapon of metal (1, 2 - iron; 3 - bronze).

Fig. 50. Saharna Mare. Bracelets (1-3 - iron; 4 - copper; 5 - silver).

Fig. 51. Saharna Mare. 1-5 - Ornaments; 6-10 - clothing items (1-4, 10 - silver; 5 - bronze; 6-9 - iron).

Fig. 52. Saharna Mare. Amber beads.

Fig. 53. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 54. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 55. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 56. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 57. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 58. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 59. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 60. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 61. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 62. Saharna Mare. Fragments of vessels from the cultural layer.

Fig. 63. Saharna Mare. Fragments of pots from the cultural layer.

Fig. 64. Saharna Mare. Fragments of bowls from the cultural layer.

Fig. 65. Saharna Mare. Fragments of bowls from the cultural layer.

Fig. 66. Saharna Mare. Fragments of bowls from the cultural layer.

Fig. 67. Saharna Mare. Fragments of bowls from the cultural layer.

Fig. 68. Saharna Mare. Fragments of fine ware: 1 - black-glazed wares; 2, 3 - grey wares.

Fig. 69. Saharna Mare. Fragments of amphorae.