Aşezarea oaspeţilor germani în sudul Transilvaniei în secolele XII-XIII. Efectul colonizării oaspeţilor asupra mediului înconjurător
The Settling of the German guests in Southern Transylvania in the XII-XIIIth Centuries.
The Effect of the colonisation on the environement
Starting with the 12th century, the history ans aspect of the Transylvannian geographic environment has undergone important changes since the settlement of the German visitants. In the 12th century, even before the arrival of Saxons, the southern part of Transylvannia was characterized by a poor demographic density, broad forests, marshes and zone insecurity triggered by the Cuman invasions. Toponymic studies, historical documents and archaeological researches have shown that the Saxons guests have played the leading role in the massive clearance, in the draining of the marshes, in improving the grounds in order to cultivate difficult terrains (the triennial crop rotation, culture of vineyards and fruit trees) and in developing and securing a communication network.
Keywords: the setteling of the German guests, Transylvania, the Arpadian Kingdom, land clearing, to drain, ways of communication
