AV 63, 2012: Peter KOS

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK 63, 2012

Peter KOS

The construction and abandonment of the Claustra Alpium Iuliarum defence system in light of the numismatic material

Abstract

The article analyses all documented coin finds from the fortifications in the Claustra Alpium Iuliarum defence system. The author interprets fluctuations in the intensity of monetary circulation that would reflect life or activity at individual forts. Coin finds are also presented from archaeological contexts that can definitely be connected to building activities on walled defensive structures. Data are presented about the latest coins from individual fortifications, which indicate an interruption in the regular influx of money into circulation and thus also a break in the intensity of life at the fortifications. In this manner, it is established that the first construction activities in building the fort of Castra can be placed as early as the 280s, while otherwise rare coin finds in the towers of the defence system indicate building activities no earlier than the mid 4th century. Coin finds show an interruption in monetary circulation at the Lanišče and Martinj hrib forts at the end of the 380s, at Tarsatica at the end of the 4th century, while coins also from the beginning of the 5th century were found at the forts of Castra and Ad Pirum.

Keywords: Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, Ad Pirum, Castra, Tarsatica, Lanišče, Martinj hrib, coin finds, date of building, 4th century

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