Abstrakt
The archaeological site of Yurta has been investigated since 2014 by the Institute of Classical Archaeology at the Charles University in Prague. It lies in the formal Roman province of Thrace, nowadays south-eastern Bulgaria.
The settlement is represented by rural habitation placed on a small river, in the middle of fertile fields, which are still heavily cultivated. However, it also keeps close connection with the main means of transport of the province - the Tundzha River, navigable in antiquity and located about 12 km east, as well as with a Trajanic road leading north to south just right next to the River.
The core of the settlement might be represented by three to four hectares, while the associated surface pottery scatter reaches up to 31 hectares. Only small part of the site was excavated so far, revealing stone foundations of one house with five rooms.
The ground plan regards the long houses known from vici, the Roman villages. The massive foundations (0.80 m deep, max 0.76 m width) might be bearing two-storey house, according to finds covered by the Laconian type of roof tiles.
The walls were most probably of daub in boarding formwork. The direct surrounding of the house is still not properly investigated, but during this year preliminary surface observation, raw glass was found nearby the excavated area, as well as several big pieces of metal waster.
Those finds are suggesting production activities carried out on the site and give us more ample view of the settlement function and character.