Bronze box shaped like a temple found in Romania

"A bronze box shaped like the facade of a temple has been discovered at the site of a Roman settlement in Turda, central Romania. Dating to the late 2nd and early 3rd century A.D., it is a unique object on the archaeological record of the Roman province of Dacia. The artifact was unearthed in this year's excavation of the canabae legionis (civilian settlements that emerged outside Roman military forts) of the Legio V Macedonica when it was stationed in Potaissa. It was found in a building in the civilian residential area. The casket is complete and features a detailed temple facade, complete with columns, a pediment and architectural trim."

"The archaeological material recovered is substantial, including ornaments (glass bracelet and beads, bronze ring), clothing accessories (bone hairpins, bronze belt appliques), furniture components and decorative elements (a bronze tripod leg with zoomorphic decoration), as well as coins and cult objects. The most remarkable discovery consists of a bronze box, ornamented with a decoration illustrating the facade of a temple, preserved in its entirety a unique piece, to date, on the territory of Roman Dacia most likely used in religious contexts!"

At Turda (Potaissa) a complete bronze casket shaped like a temple facade was excavated in the canabae legionis of Legio V Macedonica and dated to the late 2nd–early 3rd century A.D. The casket displays columns, a pediment and architectural trim and is unique in the archaeological record of Roman Dacia. Excavation in the civilian residential area produced substantial material including ornaments, clothing accessories, furniture fittings, decorative elements, coins and cult objects. The temple-shaped casket is interpreted as most likely used in religious contexts. Legio V Macedonica served from 43 B.C. to at least 635/6 A.D.

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