{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T12:24:18Z","timestamp":1776342258307,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":61,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,3,29]],"date-time":"2023-03-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1680048000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization","award":["11PFE\/30.12.2021"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["11PFE\/30.12.2021"]}]},{"name":"Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization","award":["POCU\/993\/6\/13\/153322"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["POCU\/993\/6\/13\/153322"]}]},{"name":"European Social Fund","award":["11PFE\/30.12.2021"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["11PFE\/30.12.2021"]}]},{"name":"European Social Fund","award":["POCU\/993\/6\/13\/153322"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["POCU\/993\/6\/13\/153322"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Remote Sensing"],"abstract":"<jats:p>During the end of the Bronze Age, the territory of present-day eastern Romania was occupied by Noua communities, belonging to the Noua-Sabatinovka-Coslogeni (NSC) cultural complex. Although these communities have left us a large number of archaeological sites, this period is rather poorly known and understood, mostly because the investigation of Late Bronze Age (LBA) sites is very rare, usually consisting of small test trenches or fieldwalks. The main characteristic of these communities and the subject of our study is represented by the so-called ashmounds (grey, quasi-circular spots, visible on the soil surface, with small elevations and diameters of 25\u201330 m), present inside most settlements. Our paper aims at highlighting the spatial characteristics of these sites, using GIS (Geographic Information System) tools, as well as aerial photographs, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) measurements, magnetometry and geo-electrical methods, in order to identify the relationship existing between Noua communities and the inhabited environment, in the area known as the Jijia River catchment. Thus, our approach was able to outline the way in which the geographical peculiarities determined the establishment of new settlements, revealing that the human groups from the end of the Bronze Age preferred low terrains with smooth slopes, located in the immediate vicinity of the most important watercourse of the inhabited micro-area. Additionally, our geophysical studies allowed us to confirm the lack of ash located within the ashmound, as well as to signal the possibility that these features have become visible on the soil surface only due to the irreversible damage caused by intensive agricultural processes. Despite the small number of excavations, to this day an important number of studies have been dedicated to the communities and features in question; however, no analysis has yet been performed that unites the tools specific to GIS software with the usage of non-invasive methods (such as aerial photographs, LiDAR measurements and geophysical techniques).<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/rs15071826","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,3,30]],"date-time":"2023-03-30T01:05:26Z","timestamp":1680138326000},"page":"1826","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Raking over the Ashes\u2014The Analysis of the LBA Ashmounds from NE Romania"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2212-5184","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Casandra","family":"Bra\u0219oveanu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Archaeology (ARHEOINVEST), Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, \u201cAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d University of Ia\u0219i, 700506 Iasi, Romania"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8781-0468","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrei","family":"As\u0103ndulesei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Archaeology (ARHEOINVEST), Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, \u201cAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d University of Ia\u0219i, 700506 Iasi, Romania"}]},{"given":"Radu-Alexandru","family":"Brunchi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Archaeology (ARHEOINVEST), Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, \u201cAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d University of Ia\u0219i, 700506 Iasi, Romania"}]},{"given":"Felix-Adrian","family":"Tencariu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Archaeology (ARHEOINVEST), Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, \u201cAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d University of Ia\u0219i, 700506 Iasi, Romania"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,3,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"17","article-title":"Geomorphological restitutions for the geomorphological regionalization of Romania: The Moldavian Plain case","volume":"23","year":"2021","journal-title":"Rev. Geomorfol."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Niculi\u021b\u0103, M. (2011). Geomorphometry 2011: Five Days of Digital Terrain Analysis (Conference + Workshops), University of Southern California."},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"266","article-title":"Perioada T\u00e2rzie a Epocii Bronzului","volume":"Volume 2","author":"Vulpe","year":"2010","journal-title":"Istoria Rom\u00e2nilor"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1515\/prhz.2005.80.1.65","article-title":"Die sp\u00e4tbronzezeitlichen Ascheh\u00fcgel (\u201eZol\u2019niki\u201d)-ein Erkl\u00e4rungsmodell und einige historisch-wirtschaftliche Aspekte","volume":"80","author":"Sava","year":"2005","journal-title":"Pr\u00e4historische Z."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Palinca\u0219, N., and Ponta, C.C. (2019). Bridging Science and Heritage in the Balkans. Studies in the Archaeometry, Cultural Heritage Restoration and Conservation, Archaeopress."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1007\/s12520-022-01525-2","article-title":"A bolt from the blue: Investigations of a singular Bronze Age grave from the Chalcolithic site Ruginoasa (north-eastern Romania)","volume":"14","author":"Tencariu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Archaeol. Anthropol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"51","article-title":"Considera\u021bii privind cultura Noua. A\u0219ezarea de la \u021aichindeal, jud. Sibiu","volume":"47","author":"Popa","year":"1996","journal-title":"Stud. Cercet. Istor. Veche Arheol."},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"Dietrich, L. (2014). Die Mittlere Und Sp\u00e4te Bronzezeit Und Die \u00c4ltere Eisenzeit in S\u00fcdostsiebenb\u00fcrgen Aufgrund der Siedlung Von Rotbav, Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt GMBH."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"111","article-title":"A\u0219ezarea culturii Noua de la Albi\u0219\/K\u00e9zdialbis-R\u00e9tremen\u0151 (jude\u021bul Covasna)","volume":"2","year":"2020","journal-title":"Rev. Arheol. Antropol. Stud. Interdiscip."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Apakidze, J., Govedarica, B., and H\u00e4nsel, B. (2009). Der Schwarzmeerraum Vom \u00c4neolithikum Bis in Die Fr\u00fcheisenzeit (5000-500 v.Chr.), Verlag Marie Leidorf GmbH."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Sava, E., and Kaiser, E. (2011). Poselenie s \u201ezolnicami\u201d u Acela Odaia-Miciurin, Respublica Moldova (Arheologhicesne i Estestvennonaucinie Issledovaniia)\/Die Siedlung Mit \u201eAschenh\u00fcgeln\u201d Beim Dorf Odaia-Miciurin, Republik Moldova (Arch\u00e4ologische Und Naturwissenschaftliche Untersuchungen), Bons Offices."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"5","article-title":"Un morm\u00e2nt din epoca bronzului descoperit la C\u00e2rlom\u0103ne\u0219ti (jud. Buz\u0103u)","volume":"52\u201353","author":"Gugiu","year":"2004","journal-title":"Stud. Cercet. Istor. Veche Arheol."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Zaretskyi, I.A. (1888). Za-Metka o Drevnostyakh Khar\u2019kovskoy Gub. Bogodukhovskogo Uyezda, Slobody Likha- Chevki, Khar\u2019kovskiy sbornik."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"Khvo\u012dko, B.B. (1913). Drevnie Obitateli Srednego Pridneprov\u2019ja i Ich kul\u2019tura v Doistoriceskie Vremena, Institut arkheologii."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"3","article-title":"Contribu\u021bii la problema sf\u00eer\u0219itului epocii bronzului \u0219i \u00eenceputului epocii fierului \u00een Moldova","volume":"IV","year":"1953","journal-title":"Stud. Cercet. Istor. Veche Arheol."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"5","article-title":"Kul\u2019tury predskifskogo perioda v lesostepnoj Moldavii","volume":"96","author":"Meljukova","year":"1961","journal-title":"Mater. Issled. Arheol. SSSR"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"143","article-title":"Contribu\u021bii la cunoa\u0219terea culturii Noua","volume":"II-III","author":"Florescu","year":"1964","journal-title":"Arheol. Mold."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"31","article-title":"Contribu\u021bii arheologice \u0219i etnografice referitoare la procesul de formare al a\u0219ez\u0103rilor de tip cenu\u0219ar \u201cZolniki\u201d","volume":"X","author":"Dragomir","year":"1980","journal-title":"Danubius"},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"428","article-title":"Komar\u00f3wskaja kul\u2019tura","volume":"I","author":"Berezankaja","year":"1985","journal-title":"Arheol. Ukrajn\u2019skoj RSR"},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"125","article-title":"Nouvelles recherches des \u00e9tabissements de la culture Noua dans la zone comprise entre le Prut et le Nistre","volume":"X","author":"Levitskii","year":"1993","journal-title":"Cult. Civilis. Bas Danub."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"165","article-title":"The eastern component of the Coslogeni culture","volume":"X","author":"Neagu","year":"1993","journal-title":"Cult. Civilis. Bas Danub."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Kovaleva, V.T. (1999). 120 Let Arkheologii Vostochnogo Sklona Urala. Pervyye Chteniya Pamyati Vladimira Fedorovicha Geninga, \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0439\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f\u0430\u044c\u0430\u0434\u0435\u044c\u0438\u044f \u043d\u0430\u0443\u043a."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"8","article-title":"Kultische Landschaften in der Steppe. Zu den Anf\u00e4ngen sakraler Architektur im Nordpontikum","volume":"86","year":"2011","journal-title":"Pr\u00e4historische Z."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"19","article-title":"Cercet\u0103ri cu privire la epoca bronzului t\u00e2rziu \u00een spa\u021biul pruto-nistrean","volume":"33","author":"Munteanu","year":"1996","journal-title":"Acta Musei Napoc."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Ger\u0161kovi\u010d, J.P. (1999). Studien Zur Sp\u00e4tbronzezeitlichen Sabatinovka-Kultur am Unteren Dnepr Und an der Westk\u00fcste Des Azov\u2019schen Meeres, Verlag Marie Leidorf GmbH."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"421","article-title":"A\u0219ez\u0103ri de tip cenu\u0219ar din bronzul t\u00e2rziu \u00een Sud-Estul Rom\u00e2niei","volume":"XXII","author":"Dobrinescu","year":"2005","journal-title":"Cult. Civ. Dun\u0103rea Jos"},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"Bolohan, N., M\u0103\u021b\u0103u, F., and Tencariu, A.F. (2013). Signa Preahistorica. Studia in honorem Magistri Attila L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Septuagesimo Anno, Editura Universit\u0103\u021bii \u201eAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d din Ia\u0219i."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"Bolohan, N. (2016). Bronzul T\u00e2rziu la Dun\u0103rea de Jos. Componente \u0219i Rela\u021bii Interculturale, Editura Mega."},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"Sosna, D., and Bruncl\u00edkov\u00e1, L. (2017). Archaeologies of Waste. Encounters with the Unwanted, Oxbow Books."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"572","DOI":"10.1017\/eaa.2017.87","article-title":"Deciphering Feasting in the Late Bronze Age Settlement of Rotbav, Transylvania","volume":"21","author":"Dietrich","year":"2017","journal-title":"Eur. J. Archaeol."},{"key":"ref_31","first-page":"93","article-title":"Dnevnik Arkheologicheskikh Issledovaniy v Zen\u2019kovskom Uyezde Poltavskoy Gubernii v 1906 g. Issledovaniye Bel\u2019skogo Gorodishcha","volume":"3","year":"1911","journal-title":"Trudy 14 Arkheologi- Cheskogo s\u2032Yezda v Chernigove"},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Krivtsova-Grakova, O.A. (1955). Stepnoye Povolzh\u2019ye i Prichernomor\u2019ye v epokhu pozdney bronzy. Mater. Issled. Arheol. SSSR, 46."},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"Cavruc, V. (2003). Noi Descoperiri Arheologice \u00een Sud-Estul Transilvaniei, Editura Angustia."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"303","article-title":"The Fire and the World of the Living in the Bronze Age and the Hallstatt period in Romania","volume":"23","author":"Schuster","year":"2004","journal-title":"Mem. Antiq."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"53","article-title":"Machukhs\u02b9ka ekspedytsiya Instytutu Arkheolohiyi (1946 r.)","volume":"2","author":"Rudinskij","year":"1949","journal-title":"AP URSR"},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"453","article-title":"S\u0103p\u0103turile arheologice de la Cavadine\u0219ti","volume":"VI","author":"Dragomir","year":"1959","journal-title":"Mater. Cercet. Arheol."},{"key":"ref_37","unstructured":"Lock, G., and Moffett, J. (1991). CAA91. Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, Tempvs Reparatvm."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"Weiss, A.D. (2001, January 9\u201313). Topographic Position and Landforms Analysis. Proceedings of the ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA, USA. Available online: http:\/\/www.jennessent.com\/downloads\/TPIposter-TNC_18x22.pdf."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1016\/j.geomorph.2012.12.015","article-title":"Application of the topographic position index to heterogeneous landscapes","volume":"186","author":"Bourgeois","year":"2013","journal-title":"Geomorphology"},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"As\u0103ndulesei, A. (2015). GIS (Geographic Information System), Fotogrametrie \u0219i Geofizic\u0103 \u00een Arheologie. Investiga\u021bii Non-Invazive \u00een A\u0219ez\u0103ri Cucuteni Din Rom\u00e2nia, Editura Universit\u0103\u021bii \u201eAlexandru Ioan Cuza\u201d din Ia\u0219i."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Connoly, J., and Lake, M. (2006). Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology, Cambridge University Press.","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511807459"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Beardah, C., and Baxter, M. (1996). The Archaeological Use of Kernel Density Estimates. Internet Archaeol., 1, Available online: https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/35181657\/The_Archaeological_Use_of_Kernel_Density_Estimates.","DOI":"10.11141\/ia.1.1"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"452","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dib.2018.01.051","article-title":"Kernel density estimation and transition maps of Moldavian Neolithic and Eneolithic settlement","volume":"17","author":"Brigand","year":"2018","journal-title":"Data Brief."},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"Johnson, J.K. (2006). Remote Sensing in Archaeology. An Explicitly North American Perspective, University of Alabama Press."},{"key":"ref_45","unstructured":"Gaffney, C., and Gater, J. (2003). Revealing the Buried Past. Geophysics for Archaeologists, Tempus Publishing."},{"key":"ref_46","unstructured":"Reynolds, J.M. (2011). An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, John Wiley & Sons. [2nd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shin, Y., Shin, S., Cho, S.J., and Son, J. (2021). Application of 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography in the Yeoncheon Titanomagnetite Deposit, South Korea. Minerals, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/min11060563"},{"key":"ref_48","unstructured":"Levine, M., Renfrew, C., and Boyle, K. (2003). Prehistoric Steppe Adaptation and the Horse, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research."},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"Sava, E. (2014). A\u0219ez\u0103ri Din Perioada T\u00e2rzie a Epocii Bronzului \u00een spa\u021biul Pruto-Nistrean (Noua-Sabatinovka), Bons Offices."},{"key":"ref_50","unstructured":"Bra\u0219oveanu, C. (2021). Perioada T\u00e2rzie a Epocii Bronzului \u00een Bazinul Jijiei (Rom\u00e2nia). Habitat \u0219i Materialitate. [Ph.D. Thesis, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Ia\u0219i]."},{"key":"ref_51","unstructured":"Jit\u0103reanu, G. (2007). Raport de Cercetare, Universitatea de \u0218tiin\u021be Agricole \u0219i Medicin\u0103 Veterinar\u0103 \u201cIon Ionescu de la Brad\u201d Ia\u0219i."},{"key":"ref_52","first-page":"153","article-title":"Evolu\u021bia vegeta\u021biei \u00een sistemul sta\u021biunilor forestiere din sectorul inferior al Luncii Sucevei","volume":"6","author":"Untaru","year":"2004","journal-title":"Univ. \u0218tefan Mare Suceava Sec\u021biunea Silvic."},{"key":"ref_53","unstructured":"P\u0103ltineanu, C., Seceleanu, I., and Cr\u0103ciun, C. (2003). Vertisolurile \u0219i Solurile Vertice din Rom\u00e2nia, Editura ESTFALIA."},{"key":"ref_54","unstructured":"Maran, J., B\u0103jenaru, R., Ailinc\u0103i, S.C., Popescu, A.D., and Hansen, S. (2020). Objects, Ideas and Travelers. Contacts between the Balkans, the Aegean and Western Anatolia during the Bronze and Early Iron Age, Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt GMBH."},{"key":"ref_55","first-page":"335","article-title":"Interpretarea fotografiilor aeriene ale unor situri Noua","volume":"XXIII","author":"Bicbaev","year":"2004","journal-title":"Mem. Antiq."},{"key":"ref_56","unstructured":"Vieru, E. (2013). Cultura Noua \u00een Bazinul R\u00e2ului B\u00e2rlad. [Ph.D. Thesis, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Ia\u0219i]."},{"key":"ref_57","first-page":"131","article-title":"Modele de locuire \u00een perioada t\u00e2rzie a epocii bronzului \u00een interfluviul Suceava-Siret-Moldova","volume":"XXIX\u2013XXX","author":"Gafincu","year":"2014","journal-title":"Mem. Antiq."},{"key":"ref_58","unstructured":"Editura Karl, A. (2015). Epoca Bronzului \u00een Podi\u0219ul Sucevei, Romstorfer."},{"key":"ref_59","first-page":"335","article-title":"Settlement Spatial Distribution from Late Chalcolithic to Early Hallstatt. Case Study: Crac\u0103u-Bistri\u021ba Depression","volume":"XXV","year":"2019","journal-title":"Stud. Antiq. Archaeol."},{"key":"ref_60","unstructured":"Dasc\u0103lu, L. (2007). Bronzul Mijlociu \u0219i T\u00e2rziu \u00een C\u00e2mpia Moldovei, Editura Trinitas."},{"key":"ref_61","unstructured":"Teutsch, J. (1903). Die Sp\u00e4tneolitischen Ansiedlungen Mit Bemalter Keramik am Oberen Laufe des Altflusses, Akademie der Wissenschaften."}],"container-title":["Remote Sensing"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-4292\/15\/7\/1826\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T19:06:17Z","timestamp":1760123177000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-4292\/15\/7\/1826"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,3,29]]},"references-count":61,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,4]]}},"alternative-id":["rs15071826"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rs15071826","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-4292"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-4292","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,3,29]]}}}