Archeological Society of Virginia Massanutten Chapter

Transcription

1 Archeological Society of Virginia Massanutten Chapter Volume 33, Issue 2 February, 2012 Poienari Fortress: Dracula s Sanctuary Submitted by Laura Roder It was in late October 2011 that I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of beginning a week-long adventure in Transylvania, a region nestled among the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. While this area of the country is widely known as the home of Vlad Tepes, the man who inspired Bram Stoker s novel Dracula, I found that the beauty of the place and its people quite overshadowed my preconceived notions of Romania as a dark and foreign land. Vlad Tepes was indeed a real person of historical significance, born in the Transylvanian town of Sighisoara in 1431, but his home was in the Wallachian region where he ruled as prince for just under ten years in the mid fifteenth century. Poienari Fortress His father, Vlad II, was given the name Vlad Dracul after joining the chivalric Order of the Dragon in 1431 (the Latin draco means dragon ). His son was therefore called Dracula, or son of Dracul, which coincidentally translates to devil in Romanian. It was not until after Dracula s death in 1476 that he earned the title Vlad Tepes (or Vlad the Impaler ) to emphasize his preferred method of torture. Considering that Dracula was imprisoned by the Turks as a young boy, and succumbed to torture himself, it is not surprising Inside this issue: Poienari Fortress: Dracula s Sanctuary Certification Program Opportunities February Birthdays 3 Upcoming Events State and Chapter Dues Newsletter Articles February MCASV Meeting Agenda 1, 2, Continued on Page 2

2 Poienari Fortress: Dracula s Sanctuary Continued from Page 1 that he was particularly brutal when defending his territory from this same group of people during his reign. An important part of Dracula s defense from the Turks was Poienari Fortress (or citadel ), which is located in the Arges Valley roughly 108 miles northwest of Bucharest, the Romanian capital. The first Romanian rulers of Wallachia built the rectangular tower of the structure in the early thirteenth century, and in the fourteenth century it became the primary citadel of the Basarab rulers before it was abandoned and left in ruins. In 1459, Dracula saw potential in the structure and ordered a captured group of Turks to repair and add to the remnants and build an impressive fortress that protected entry into the Arges Valley from Transylvania. In 1462, upon attack from the Turks, he escaped the fortress through a secret passageway that led north into the mountains, where he received help from the Arefu villagers. His wife did not fare so well. Fearing the worst and expecting capture, she threw herself from the turret into the Arges River below. The fortress was still occasionally used after Dracula s death in 1476, but it stands in ruins today after a landslide brought down a portion of the wall in It is easy to imagine such a rich history when stepping onto the land hundreds of feet below the fortress, peering up at the amazing structure perched atop a cliff as if to protect the land from encroachers even today. The 1,480 steps to the top were constructed in 1972 to give visitors an easier journey than those in the fifteenth century, but easier is only a relative term. The climb is not for the lighthearted or out of shape (a few in our tour group had to sit this one out). However, the 45-minute ascent was well worth the reward of seeing the valley below get smaller with every step along the way, culminating in the breath-taking views from the apex. The fortress is indeed a shell of what it once was, but that does not make it any less impressive. In fact, the ravages of time and circumstances have only added more beauty and wonder to the site. View of the Arges Valley from the fortress Continued on Page 4 Volume 33, Issue 2 Page 2

3 Certification Program Opportunities Submitted by Carole Nash The following is information on upcoming certification opportunities: Historic and Prehistoric Lab Work: Artifact processing and analysis from several 19th century historic home sites and prehistoric base camps. M, W, F schedule -- set your time! Contact Carole ( or nashcl@jmu.edu) for parking information and directions to her new JMU lab space Field School and Volunteer Opportunities There are a number of opportunities available throughout the state for Certification members and Chapter volunteers. Check out the MCASV website at for a full listing of the programs, their websites, and contact information. Department of Historic Resources (DHR) Volunteer Program Volunteer days can be arranged during the week for anyone interested. Prehistoric and historic artifact processing, cataloguing, data entry, documentary research, and outreach activities are some examples of what work is available. Please contact Chief Curator Dee DeRoche at dee.deroche@dhr.virginia.gov or (804) x134 for an application and to set up day(s) to volunteer if you are interested. February Birthdays Robert Frye February 4 Please complete the MCASV Membership Application and submit to the MCASV Treasurer, so we have your birthdates for the newsletter. Volume 33, Issue 2 Page 3

4 Poienari Fortress: Dracula s Sanctuary Continued from Page 2 Out of breath upon finally reaching the ruins of the building, I could not believe I stood in the same spot that Vlad the Impaler once stood more than five centuries before. I wondered if archaeology could shed more light onto this site, revealing more about his escape from the Turks, his wife s demise, or any of the lives of the hundreds, or thousands, of other people whose steps passed over the same stones I had just walked on. With such a steep cliff face, how much archaeology is even possible at this site? Has anyone ever considered it? I could not find any mention of archaeology at this site while searching the internet, but imagine what an excavation could behold! Perhaps on my next visit? References Pettersen, Leif; Baker, Mark. Romania. Lonely Planet, 2010, 5 th ed. Upcoming Events Jan. 31, :00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m Blue Ridge Community College in the Plecker Center Auditorium "Rothstein's First Assignment". This is a documentary about Depression-era Farm Securities Administration photographer, Arthur Rothstein, and the photos he took of the Blue Ridge residents who were to be removed from the land that became Shenandoah National Park. Feb. 1, :00 p.m. MCASV Monthly Meeting, Arey Hall in the Bridgewater Municipal Building. Program: Dr. Carole Nash, Department of Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University: "Bioarchaeology: What Archaeologists Can Learn from Human Remains". Mar. 7, :00 p.m. MCASV Monthly Meeting, Arey Hall in the Bridgewater Municipal Building. Program: TBA Volume 33, Issue 2 Page 4

5 2012 State and Chapter Dues Submitted by Tom Mizell As 2012 has arrived, we are gently reminded that Dues for ASV are now due. Please check your records and start the New Year with a smile and show of support for both ASV and your local chapter. Annual Membership Renewal Dues are due January 31, Prompt remittance ensures that members continue to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and Newsletter. Other benefits include major discounts on all Society publications and participation in Society supervised archeological activities in the field. There is a Membership Renewal Form that is included in the most recent ASV mailing and available on the ASV website. You may submit the form with payment directly to Carl Fischer, ASV Treasurer. Mr. Fischer s address is provided at the end of this article. A second option is for you to submit both the Massanutten Chapter and State dues to me. I will be glad to forward the State dues to Mr. Fischer for you. If you opt for this alternative please provide the completed Membership Renewal Form and the funds to me at your earliest convenience. I will have a stock of the forms available at meetings. The MCASV Chapter Membership Application will also be available at the meetings. Chapter Dues are $5.00 and State dues vary as shown below: Regular Membership Dues $35.00 Senior (65 and older) $25.00 Student $15.00 Life $ Sustaining $65.00 Additional family members $ 3.00 (please provide their names) You may take care of this on-line through PayPal: For those opting to submit directly to Mr. Fischer (ASV Treasurer) his mailing address follows: ASV Treasurer Carl Fischer 1685 Sweet Hall Road West Point, VA flyfischn@aol.com The Massanutten Chapter ASV appreciates your attention to this matter and we look forward to your participation. Newsletter Articles The Points Staff needs your help! Please send any articles, book reviews or anything that you would like to see in the newsletter. We need everyone's ideas to keep this newsletter fresh and exciting, and continue to be one of the best in the state! Please send your selections to Points Publisher Jeff Good: atlatlist@comcast.net Volume 33, Issue 2 Page 5

6 MCASV February 1, 2012 Meeting Agenda The MCASV monthly meeting will commence at 7:00 p.m. at the Bridgewater Town Hall. I. Call to Order II. Welcome to Guests III. Program: Dr. Carole Nash, Department of Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University: "Bioarchaeology: What Archaeologists Can Learn from Human Remains" IV. Secretary s Report V. Treasurer s Report VI. Newsletter Editor s Report VII. ASV Annual Meeting Report VIII. New Business IX. Certification Program Report X. Morris Pottery Kiln XI. Announcements XII. Adjournment We Need Your Help in Contributing Articles! Your article could be here! Please help by contributing articles each month. The deadline for any information to be included in the newsletter will be the TWENTIETH of each month. Please have articles sent to Tom by this time. Page 6 Please the Newsletter Staff with any comments or articles or concerns. Publisher: Jeff Good atlatlist@comcast.net Editor: Tom Hester twhester1782@yahoo.com Assistant Editor: Laura Roder roderla@aol.com