'Fruitstand' from Racatau. The clay 'fruitstand' was a ubiquitous form of wheelmade ware in the Dacian period. It had appeared earlier in the Basarabi horizon.

Daco-Getic cup from Poiana. The crude clay handmade Daco-Getic cup, usually 6-12 cm high, with one or two handles and either plain or with barbotine decoration, had some special significance for the Daco-Getic North Thracians. Some were used as lamps and they were ubiquitous grave offerings, even in rich burials. Outside Dacia they are found west to Budapest and east to the Dnieper. Usually locally made, a large pottery at Butovo, near Turnovo, also produced them, perhaps for the local Getic market, perhaps for export across the Danube.

The strong Thracian element in the northern Lipica culture appears in its pottery. Above: Daco-Getic cup from the Zaleutsy settlement. Ht 8.5 cm. Centre: 'Fruitstand' from the Grinev cemetery. Ht 28 cm. Below. Wheel-made jug, also from Grinev. Ht 36 cm.

Iron agricultural implements from a smithy on one of the Sarmizegetusa terraces. A rake, W 46 cm; a grubbing hoe, L 22 cm; a hoe, L 23 cm; a coulter, L 26 cm; and a scythe.

Ornamental nails from Sarmizegetusa and Piatra Rosie. Diam. of heads 4-5.5 cm. Iron nails with finely worked heads using similar patterns to those on the vegetal phalerac were used for sanctuaries.

Sarmizegetusa (Gradistea Muncelului), plan of sacred area.

Sarmizegetusa. The unfinished great rectangular andesite sanctuary on Terrace X, planned to cover an area approximately 37.50 by 31.50 m.

Sarmizegetusa. The large circular andesite sanctuary on Terrace XI. External diam. approx. 29.50 m.

Sarmizegetusa. Tentative reconstruction by H. Daicoviciu of the large circular sanctuary.

Costesti, plan of fortress. An old tribal centre with several rectangular sanctuaries both inside and on terraces outside its powerful fortifications, Costesti was an important link in the defences of Sarmizegetusa. One tower-house was approached by an imposing flight of wide stone steps.

Capilna. View of the tower-house, its outer dimensions 9.50 m square. Finds suggest the fort was the home of local chiefs from the 1st century ayps to the Roman conquest.

Blidaru. View from the south-west, showing the second fort built to reinforce the first, which lies behind.

The Thracian Hero sanctuary at Daskalovo. The largest excavated, its use by Roman officials from Serdica as well as rich and poor Thracians is demonstrated by votive inscriptions, fine statues and well carved relief tablets.