Reconstructing the phases of the fortifications of the legionary fortress at Novae (Moesia Inferior)

Since 1960, archaeological research in the area of the legionary base at Novae (fig. 1) has yielded many traces of its defensive system.1 Although the results were published regularly in field reports,2 information on the fortifications remained inadequate due to the methodologies and measuring equipment used in those days. Even with the new discoveries made in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably the earth-and-timber defences, many crucial issues including the chronology and construction sequence remained unresolved.3 Therefore in 2005 a review of the early excavations began within the framework of a postexcavation project, “Per lineam munitionum”. It involved recording all visible architectural and archaeological remains from previous seasons of fieldwork through the cleaning and deepening of old trenches. If the original stratigraphy was found to be too disturbed, soundings were extended. Advanced methods such as geodesy, photogrammetry and 3D modelling significantly improved the interpretation. In several years of topographic survey almost all of the early trenches were located, the general plan updated and corrected,4 and a detailed digital terrain model (DTM) produced (fig. 2).