Roman Glass from the Baths at Buridava (Stolniceni): A Typological and Functional Study

Cercetări Arheologice 33.1, 2026, 183-216
https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.33.1.10



Roman Glass from the Baths at Buridava (Stolniceni): A Typological and Functional Study

Authors: Ioana Manea Ovidiu Țentea

Keywords:

roman glass, bath, typology, function, 2nd-3rd century AD

Abstract:

This article presents a study of the Roman glass assemblage from the Buridava thermal complex (Stolniceni, Romania), excavated by Gh. Bichir between 1971 and 1992. Despite the loss of the excavation reports, the analysis focuses on 305 fragments of very high quality, 93% of which (285 pieces) are colourless or naturally coloured, with various tints and were primarily made by free-blowing. The predominant categories are drinking vessels (approximately 158 fragments: goblets, cups, bowls), cosmetic vessels (60 fragments, including 58 unguentaria), bottles (11), and eight windowpane fragments. The typology, based on Isings and supplemented by other catalogs, dates the collection to the 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD, consistent with the period of prosperity of the thermal baths (Levels I–IV). The study highlights the functional connection to bathhouse practices (drinking, personal care, lighting, and solar heating). The exceptional quality of the glass and the presence of rare pieces (faceted goblets and those with molded leaf motifs) underscore the site’s elite status, likely linked to the temporary residence of the governor of Lower Moesia.

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How to cite: Ioana Manea, Ovidiu Țentea, Roman Glass from the Baths at Buridava (Stolniceni): A Typological and Functional Study, Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 33.1, pag. 183-216, 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.33.1.10

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