The Mysterious Lunar Andesite Altar of the 1960s

Sarmizegetusa Regia, known for its sanctuary and sophisticated drainage system over 3,000 years old, holds many secrets. The Geto-Dacians used drainage channels carved in limestone to decant rainwater and ceremonial waste from the andesite altar. The altar itself was finished with a white marble top, featuring rectangular cutouts for aesthetic purposes and to highlight precious metals like gold. While the intricacies of Geto-Dacian metallurgy at Sarmizegetusa Regia remain a mystery, some aspects of their mining techniques are understood.

One method involved sorting precious metals on the andesite altar and then using the suspension method for extraction. Sand and gravel were suspended in moving water, causing the heavier metals to sink to the bottom, where they were separated by hand. The waste, including sludge, sand, stones, and sacrificial materials from the altar, was washed downstream via the limestone channels. Another technique involved rapidly swirling the mixture (panning), allowing water, gravel, or sand to flow over the edge while the heavier metals settled at the bottom for manual separation. The process of vein mining and extracting gold ore by the Geto-Dacians was undoubtedly complex. Having lived below Sarmizegetusa Regia for five years, researching and aiding in tourism, I’ve uncovered many secrets in Romania that will remain untold.