Transsylvania Nostra Journal

Archaeological research at the Lutheran Church A. C. in Bistriţa allowed us to establish the stratigraphy around the church, with an excavation level that reaches the foundation of the nave, located at -2.60 m, deepening until it reaches the geological stratum. At the level of the nave’s last bay, on the side of the choir, traces of two previous constructions were identified. Their foundations are straddled by the foundations of the current nave: on the north arm, probably the old sacristy, whereas on the south arm, a funerary chapel. A construction located between the documencurrent tower and the first bay of the northern aisle could be identified as the chapel of Saint Dorothea, as indicated by documentary evidence. Burial ceremonies were performed in the hereabouts and inside the church, but the majority of the remains are muddled up and lack an inventory.

Keywords: church, chapel, archaeological excavations, foundations, tombs