Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains

Built in murus dacicus[?] style, the six Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, in Romania, were created in the 1st centuries BC and AD as protection against Roman conquest.

Their extensive and well-preserved remainspresent a picture of a vigorous and innovative Iron Age civilisation. Today, treasure-hunters are searching the area, as Romania lacks legislation in this domain.

The six fortresses - Sarmizegetusa, Blidaru[?], Piatra Rosie[?], Costesti[?], Capalna[?] and Banita[?] - that formed the defensive system of Decebalus together form a UNESCO World heritage site.

External Links

• The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (http://www.cimec.ro/UNESCO/UNESCOen/Album/FortDac/Sarmizegetusa/FortOrastie.htm)
• UNESCO Protection of Ancient Sacred Site Not Enforced Within Romania (http://www.sitesaver.org/preservation/sarmezegetusa.html)