Starting in 2021, Dr. Marian Mocanu from ICEM Tulcea (as research coordinator) together with Dr. Sever-Petru Boțan from the Iași Institute of Archaeology started an archaeological research at Isaccea – Noviodunum (Tulcea county) at the point called Southern Civil Settlement. The purpose of this research is to verify the stratigraphy and chronology of the area where the civil settlement near the Roman fortification at Isaccea is believed to have functioned.
The discoveries from the 2025 campaign consisted of a partially uncovered dwelling, affected by medieval pits. In this archaeological complex, a large number of Roman-Byzantine coins (4th-5th centuries), lead seals and a carnelian gem were discovered, in addition to numerous ceramic fragments. One of the most interesting discoveries is a camel bone, an unusual occurrence for the Dobrogean territory in Late Antiquity.
The research team includes, since 2024, Dr. Daniel Malaxa, archaeozoologist from IA Iași, together with other colleagues from ICEM Tulcea, Vaslui County Museum, master’s students and undergraduates. Since 2025, a partnership has been concluded with the University of Zhejiang (China) which will open new opportunities for interdisciplinary scientific collaboration in the important site in Dobruja.
