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Mammoths in Oltenia
In January of 2005 Dr Gheorghe made a trip to buy bones of a mammoth discovered by Ion Pauna of Timiseni village. This records the trip as well as the bones which were brought back to Filiaşi.
On the way to Timiseni, all the churches of the villages passed through by the traveller may be seen on a nearby hill. In the middle ages, signals with fires were made on these hills to warn the people that an enemy was coming. Even the ancient Dacs used to practise the same method for making a signal from hill to hill 2000 years ago.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
On the horizon may be seen the Paring mountains, on the northern border of the Oltenia region, covered by snow.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
In this part of Oltenia, in the north-west, there are many "open-cut" coal mines. In the distance may be seen the overburden piled up so that the coal seams may be accessed.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Another view of the Paring mountains covered by snow. It is about 120 km distant from Filiaşi to the north. On clear mornings in summer it may be seen from Filiaşi still covered by snow and ice, shining in sun.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
There are many "open-cut" coal mines in the area, with huge tools for taking coal, an important energy source for Romania.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Mammoth bones from near the village of Timiseni.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
On the left, Ion Pauna, the discoverer of the bones. A good man, an ex-worker at the mines in the area, about 55 years of age. The hay stacks in the background are for winter feeding of livestock. The haystacks are built around a tall single pole, with a ladder to add the hay as it is harvested.
On the right, Ion Pauna's small, old house, in Timiseni village. The village has few houses left, the other houses were destroyed by the opening up of more and more mines. The wooden paling fences are a normal part of the village landscape in this part of Romania.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
A well at the entrance to Timiseni village.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Two underground mines, ghost mines, of which there are many in this area. They are relics of the days when coal was mined using hand tools and manual labour deep beneath the surface of the earth.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Mammoth bones and neolithical pottery, brought from Timiseni, at Dr Gheorghe's house. He sometimes feels he is sleeping in a private museum, between all kinds of bones, those from Malva, Cerat etc - and many artefacts too, ready to be seen by specialists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
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Alexis Project Filiasi/Romania
RC J/263/230/2007 CIF 21464151
Email: [email protected]