Jiblea
Location: Călimănești (Vâlcea county)
The existence of a Roman fortification was assumed at Jiblea, but the hypothesis could not be validated in the absence of extensive research. The area is located south of Jublea Veche and east of Jiblea Nouă, today components of Călimănești city in the vicinity of Seaca confluence.
The road that went to the north in the first Olt gorge split into the one that bypasses the Cozia Massif to the east, along which were placed the forts from Răcinești, Pripoare (?), Titești.
D. Tudor assumed the existence of a fortification at Gaitini, a rectangle of 60 x 100 steps, with a rampart and ditch, clearly seen 100 m west of the route of the Roman road (Tudor 1968, 293, fig. 73/2). The same author claimed a decade later (Tudor 1978, 281) that the supposed Roman fort is in reality an earthen fortification (medieval?).
Based on the landmarks we presented, we conducted on-site reconnaissance, which did not materialize with more conclusive results. We can assume the location of the fortification referred to by D. Tudor (fig. 15.2-15.4). Additional information is needed to completely establish the location.
Văratica
Location: Brezoi, Vâlcea county (pl. II)
The Văratica tower was located on the left bank of the Olt, near the confluence of Lotru and Olt, on a high plateau of about 20-30 m, south of the village church. The fortification was located between Racovița (12 km) and Călimănești (16 km), serving to survey the Olt valley at an intermediate point, located at the confluence with a tributary. Today it is covered by modern construction.
The tower has a square shape, with a side of 10 m and has stone walls, 1.10 m thick, preserved to a maximum height of 1.60 m (fig. 60). The foundation was built of river stones and quarry stones connected with mortar.
Based on the archaeological material discovered it was possible to argue the functioning of the building during the 3rd century AD.
Part of the study:
Ovidiu Țentea, Florian Matei-Popescu, Vlad Călina, Frontiera romană din Dacia Inferior. O trecere în revistă și o actualizare. 1., Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 28.1, pag. 9-90, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.28.1.01
Bibliography
Bibliografie: Tudor 1968, 293, fig. 73/2; Tudor 1978, 281; Bogdan-Cătăniciu 1981, 27, 82 n. 246; Gudea 1997, 90, fig. 76 – 14.1.
Tudor 1978: 233; Vlădescu 1986, 66-67.