Carpathian Arch Research Articles

Hoards and Isolated Jewellery Discovered outside the Carpathian Arch

Hoards and Isolated Jewellery Discovered outside the Carpathian Arch

Fő a mértékletesség! Fél évezredes életmódtanácsok fiataloknak

This study presents some historical aspects of health sciences through the health education school book written in the 16th century for Transylvanian Saxon pupils. Paulus Kyr, doctor of Brașov (Kronstadt), a town in the Carpathian Arch, sums up the medical knowledge of his time for his pupils in a booklet called Sanitatis Studium. The booklet did not reach international fame, but serves with curiosities in cultural and health science history about the lifestyle of his time, and, at the same time, reveals aspects of the Renaissance’s reception in Transylvania. Kyr’s work has not lost anything from its topicality first and foremost due to the fact that appropriate lifestyle is being perceived as the key to preserving good health. This study reconsiders Kyr’s recommendations from the health sciences’ perspective of our days.

CUCUJUS CINNABERINUS (SCOPOLI, 1774) (COLEOPTERA: CUCUJIDAE) IN ROSCI0045 CORIDORUL JIULUI, ROMANIA

The protection of the Natura 2000 species Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1774), protected by Romanian and European legislation, requires knowledge of distribution, threats and conservation status. In Romania the species is protected in only 9 Natura 2000 areas of the 442 SCI declared until 2021. All the protected areas in which the species is mentioned are located along the Carpathian Arch except ROSCI0135 Pădurea Bârnova – Repedea located in the Central Moldavian Plateau. The identification of the species in ROSCI0045 Coridorul Jiului brings new data about the distribution of the species and its conservation status. Observations on the species in larval stage were made by direct searches in specific habitats in the protected area. In the months of May, August and September 2022, Cucujus cinnaberinus was identified in several points along the protected area: Dăbuleni on poplar wood in the Danube River meadow, Foișor on poplar wood in the Jiului meadow, Bratovoești in ploplar wood of the former channels of the meanders Jiului River, Calopăr on ash wood from the Dâlga valley and Turburea on alder wood in the Gilortului meadow. The identification of Cucujus cinnaberinus Natura 2000 species requires further monitoring at the site and the implementation of appropriate protection and conservation measures.

Chronostratigraphy and the Palaeoenvironment of the Bistrița Valley. New Interpretations and a Critical Retrospective Evaluation

The Carpathian Arch was certainly a difficult obstacle for the Palaeolithic communities of Eastern and Central Europe, at least during certain stages of the Upper Pleistocene glaciation, such as the Last Glacial Maximum. The density and perennity of the Palaeolithic occupations in the Bistrița Valley were favoured by the propitious conditions of living and developing long-term survival strategies. The importance of the Bistrița Valley lies in the fact that it is strongly embedded in the mountainous landscape, with a route extended in the Sub-Carpathian area and a generous opening towards the east to the plateau region and further towards the Great Russian Plain. The Bistrița Valley is a landmark of the Romanian Palaeolithic due to the number of investigated Palaeolithic settlements, the wealth and variety of archaeological materials and the extensive interdisciplinary studies. All this has entailed a better assessment of the evolution of the palaeoenvironment and of the chronostratigraphy of the Palaeolithic occupations. In a matter of speaking, the Bistrița Valley is to Romania what the Vézère Valley is to the Dordogne region in France.

Wallachian Colonization and Traces of the Vlachs (Romanians) in Medieval Slovakia

Abstract The study gives insight into the process of the Wallachian colonization in the territory of medieval Slovakia. This movement was part of a greater settlement process that began at the end of the twelfth century in south-eastern parts of the Carpathian arch and ended in the sixteenth century in north-western Slovakia and Moravia. During this period, the Vlachs expanded their distribution in the alpine regions of the Carpathian Mountains. Whereas in the “Wallachian colonization,” the Wallachian ethnos was dominant in Transylvania, in the north-eastern Carpathians, Ruthenians made up the majority, and the local Slovak population was largest farther west in the western Carpathians. Most of the communities living under Wallachian law in Slovakia had no ethnic Wallachian population. In some of them, however, we would expect at least the existence of local sculteti or hereditary mayors of Romanian origin. In spite of their small presence in the settlement process in Slovakia under Wallachian law, the Vlachs were responsible for the infiltration of shepherd culture into this territory.

Common Buzzards wintering strategies as an effect of weather conditions and geographic barriers.

AimMigration is a constantly changing adaptation due to the climate condition evolution. The struggle for surviving during harsh winter season is different across Europe, being more complex toward the inner parts of the continent. The current approach explores the Common Buzzard number variation during the cold season and the climatic predictors of birds of prey wintering movements in relation to the possible influences of the Carpathian Mountains, which may act as a geographical barrier providing shelter from cold air outbreak from north and northeast of the continent.LocationRomania (45°N25°E).TaxonBirds of Prey.MethodsWe applied a GLMM to investigate the relation between continental and local climatic factors with the number of Common Buzzard observations in two regions. The first region is located inside the Carpathian Arch and the other one outside, east of this large mountains chain.ResultsThe Common Buzzard numbers wintering Eastern from the Carpathian Mountains are highly influenced by AO (Z = 2.87, p < .05%), while those wintering western are influenced by NAO (Z = 2.17, p < .05%). This is the first proof of separating influences for biodiversity of AO and NAO at continental scale, outlining the influence limit placed over the Eastern Carpathian Mountains.Main conclusionsThe Carpathian Mountains act like a geographic barrier, separating the wintering Common Buzzard populations from both sides of the mountain range. While the high number of individuals in Moldova is related to their eastern and northeastern Europe origins, in Transylvania the large number of individuals observed is related to the more sheltered characteristics of the region attracting individuals from central Europe. Also, since Transylvania region is well sheltered during cold air outbreak, it represents a more favorable region for wintering. From this point of view, we can consider that the Carpathian Mountains are a geographic barrier for wintering birds of prey.

Dots on Earth with huge genetic diversity: relict flatworm Crenobia alpinain the alpine lakes of Tatra Mountains

Mountain lakes, typical signs of an alpine landscape all around the world, were formed in the western part of the Carpathian Arch about 10,000-15,000 years ago, as remnants of the last continental glaciation. In the Tatra Mountains (Slovak-Polish border), more than 110 permanent lakes of glacial origin and many other small ponds exist. These (sub)alpine lakes, with their specific conditions, are very vulnerable and any change in their environment can largely impact their biodiversity, which is, despite long-term faunistic and ecological research, still not fully recognized. This shortcoming could be strongly improved by molecular approaches, which, even within population-genetic studies, often reveal unsuspected cryptic lineages or potential new species. Our long-term research is aimed at revealing the genetic diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate species in the alpine environment of the Western Carpathians. One of the currently studied species is the glacial relict flatworm taxon Crenobia alpina (Dana, 1766) (Tricladida: Planariidae), representing an element of the permanent aquatic fauna. Totally, 88 COI haplotypes of C. alpina forming at least five well-separated genetic lineages were identified within 348 individuals collected from 45 lakes and ponds in theTatra Mts. Based on tests of selective neutrality and population stability, C. alpina populations in the Tatra lakes did not overcome recent population expansions or contractions. It seems that great genetic differences between localities and their population stability could be a consequence of the presence of natural topographic barriers (ridges, mountain peaks) dividing the mountains into small and relatively isolated valleys. Moreover, other important factors that could play a significant role are the limited dispersal ability of the species as well as its ability to reproduce asexually. Our findings were also compared with all publicly available sequences (Barcoding of Life Datasystems - BOLD and GenBank) in order to shift our data from a local to a holistic view on C. alpina. Our resultssupport the assumption of Brändle et al. 2017 that C. alpina represents a complex of cryptic lineages or species in Europe. As part of the AquaBOL.sk initiative, the data obtained contribute to the knowledge of genetic variability and barcoding of aquatic organisms in Slovakia.

The Black Sea Trout, Salmo labrax Pallas, 1814 (Pisces: Salmonidae) in Romanian Waters

The review assembles chronological data on Black Sea trout (Salmo labrax) from Romanian waters and brings up-to-date information related to the distribution of the species. The information used dates from 1909 to 2020 and includes books, articles, digital databases, field observations, and notes from different research fields such as ichthyology, biogeography, genetics, aquaculture, conservation, and ecology. Global distribution, migration, meristic characters, and aquaculture of the species were analyzed based on the recorded data from the specialty literature. New information related to a possible population of Salmo labrax inside the Carpathian Arch was discussed. In Romanian waters the species is found in the Black Sea, Danube, Danube Delta but the current paper proposes a new hypothesis, namely that resident populations can be found in rivers and lakes adjacent to the Carpathian Arch. The highest migration point of the Black Sea trout in the Danube was recorded near Corabia locality, Olt County, (43°46′25″N- 24°30′12″E). In the Danube Delta, it was caught in all the three branches (Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe and Chilia), and lagoonary complexes such as Razim-Sinoe. Sexually matured females were caught especially in Spring Season while unmatured specimens were caught in all seasons. Even if the species is protected under Romanian legislation, fishermen and anglers should report its presence when caught accidentally.

Synopsis of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Romania.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are insects capable of transmitting various disease agents. They have a wide geographical range, with a higher diversity and distribution in the tropical and subtropical regions. In Romania, data on mosquito distribution are available mostly from the older literature and published in local journals; hence, it is inaccessible to the international scientific community. The aim of this review was to gather all the published data on mosquitoes in Romania by performing a comprehensive literature search, to create a publicly available georeferenced database for the distribution of mosquitoes and generate distribution maps to identify gaps in the knowledge of mosquito diversity and distribution in the country. The resultant database includes 1,509 unique records for 51 mosquito species representing seven genera: Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Coquillettidia, Orthopodomyia and Uranotaenia. Knowledge of mosquito distributions is important for understanding the risks of mosquito-borne pathogens present in Romania, a country with high endemicity for various diseases, such as West Nile fever and dirofilariasis. The database also revealed important knowledge gaps, including the lack of data for the Carpathian Arch and the central part of the historical regions of Moldova and Oltenia. The gaps become more evident, as the presence and diversity of the vectors have not been studied in many areas where diseases caused by mosquito-borne pathogens are present. In conclusion, despite the numerous georeferenced records, large areas of Romania remain unexplored for the mosquito species composition, abundance and phenology. This review is a "call for action" for implementing active surveillance in the country.

Fondul iconografic al Atlasului Etnografic Român

In this work, the author analyses, from the perspective of the history of the Romanian folk costume and of the Court costume, a photograph from the Collection of the anthropologist Francisc Rainer, entered in the Iconographic Collection of the Romanian Ethnographic Atlas. The clothing of the group of peasants from Câmpulung Muscel ethnographic area reveals an archaic phase of the folk costume in this part of Țara Românească province and the influence of the costume worn at the princely courts from the 15th-17th centuries on peasant clothing; we can notice the simplicity of the skirts decoration, the cut of the traditional blouse of Carpathian type with a wide embroidery on the top of the sleeves; and, related to head covering, the adoption of the hat specific to the ruling classes clothing. It is worth mentioning that, in the folk costume outside the Carpathian Arch, Muscel area was the only one that kept, until the beginning of the 20th century, the hat as an accessory in women's celebration outfit.

Filling the gap: the common hamster, Cricetus cricetus, phylogeography – a case study of Ukraine as potential refugial area

The phylogeographic analyses of the common hamster revealed the existence of five mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages. However, the analyses did not include Ukraine and the area outside Carpathian arch located in Romania that is important for the species as presumably refugial territory. We investigated both areas and described phylogeographic relationships of the populations on the basis of a partial cytochrome b (cytb, 904 bp) region of the mtDNA. Haplotype network and gene tree analyses did not produce a clear phylogeographic pattern for investigated territories that is typical for refugial populations. The highest diversity was found at the left bank of the River Dnieper and the area was called the Dnieper Lowland Refugial Area. Moreover only three from five described phylogeographic lineages (North, Pannonia and Caucasus) were fully separate on the network and gene trees. The haplotypes of other two lineages described previously from Eastern Europe (E1 and E0 lineages) mixed together with haplotypes from Ukraine and Moldovian Plateau. This study highlights the need for a re-examination of the phylogeography divisions of the common hamster.

ROLE OF THE SALT IN THE PROCESS OF NEOLITHISATION OF SOUTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE

In order to understand the process of neolithisation of Southeastern and Central Europe, must be underlined the important role played by Transylvania through the numerous springs and salt lakes. The whole Carpathian arch of Transylvania is surrounded by impressive salt sources (Map 1). After a cold period in Europe between 6300-6100 BC, around 6000 BC there is a heating that corresponds to Greece and Anatolia with very hot and dry periods, which causes small pastoral communities to migrate from the Greek-Macedonian areas to the north. These first shepherds’ communities with sheep flocks, defined with a general term, as Early Neolithic, migrate northwards and sit in salt areas. In the Carpatho-Danubian Basin, this civilization is defined by archaeologists with the term Starčevo-Criş culture. The first horizon was defined as Monocrom- Frühkeramik and Starčevo-Criş IA respectively (shortly SC). Very soon, finding out the beneficial conditions (pastures, forests, mountains with alpine pastures, but especially salty springs), other communities with large cattle come, laying the foundations of some important Early Neolithic sites in Transylvania: Cristian, Ocna Sibiului, Miercurea Sibiului, Gura Baciului and those in Apahida – Cojocna zone. Migration after migration and diffusion sought and used salt sources which together with the environmental factor (pastures, forests, and alpine meadows) contributed to the neolithisation process. In SE Transylvania, Moldova, central and north Crişana neolithisation process starts only with the evolved phases of the Starčevo-Criş culture. The most interesting and important discoveries related with the end of Early Neolithic are those of Lunca – Poiana Slatinii (Neamţ County). The salt roll for the neolithisation processes of N Hungary, Slovakia (Hurbanovo and Biňa, Košice-Červeny Rak a.s.o.) and E Austria (Prellenkirche a.s.o.) is related with the evolved phases of SC culture (Zăuan, Tăşnad – Sere). Neolithic sites located in area of salt sources of Someş and Tisa basins prove also ethno-cultural exchanges (obsidian import of NE Hungary, SW Slovakia and maybe other).

Genetic affinities among the historical provinces of Romania and Central Europe as revealed by an mtDNA analysis

BackgroundAs a major crossroads between Asia and Europe, Romania has experienced continuous migration and invasion episodes. The precise routes may have been shaped by the topology of the territory and had diverse impacts on the genetic structure of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in historical Romanian provinces. We studied 714 Romanians from all historical provinces, Wallachia, Dobrudja, Moldavia, and Transylvania, by analyzing the mtDNA control region and coding markers to encompass the complete landscape of mtDNA haplogroups.ResultsWe observed a homogenous distribution of the majority of haplogroups among the Romanian provinces and a clear association with the European populations. A principal component analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis supported the genetic similarity of the Wallachia, Moldavia, and Dobrudja groups with the Balkans, while the Transylvania population was closely related to Central European groups. These findings could be explained by the topology of the Romanian territory, where the Carpathian Arch played an important role in migration patterns. Signals of Asian maternal lineages were observed in all Romanian historical provinces, indicating gene flow along the migration routes through East Asia and Europe.ConclusionsOur current findings based on the mtDNA analysis of populations in historical provinces of Romania suggest similarity between populations in Transylvania and Central Europe, supported both by the observed clines in haplogroup frequencies for several European and Asian maternal lineages and MDS analyses.

A review of the millipede genus Typhloiulus Latzel, 1884 (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae), with a description of three new species from Bulgaria and Greece.

The mostly cavernicolous and endogean millipede genus Typhloiulus Latzel, 1884 (Julida: Julidae) is hitherto known to comprise 33-36 species distributed in the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas, as well as the adjacent parts of the Alps and the Carpathian Arch. Here we describe three new species, T. bulgaricus sp. n., T. orpheus sp. n. and T. rhodopinus sp. n., collected from caves and other subterranean habitats in Bulgaria and Greece. Furthermore, the taxonomic descriptions of some poorly known species are emended and/or new distribution data given. T. staregai Strasser, 1973, is synonymized with T. strictus (Latzel, 1882). A neotype of T. kotelensis Jawłowski, 1938, of which the original type material is thought to be lost, is designated, and a checklist of Typhloiulus species is provided.

The first record of leopard Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758 from the Pleistocene of Poland

The first leopard (Panthera pardus) from the Pleistocene of Poland was discovered in the sediments of Biœnik Cave. Bones show morphological and metric similarity to large specimens of the modern leopard. This finding provides evidence for the existence of the leopard in late Middle and early Late Pleistocene in Europe north of the Carpathian arch.

The Lower Palaeolithic of Ukraine: Current evidence

For almost three decades, the only evidence of stratified and well-documented Lower Palaeolithic in Ukraine was reported for Korolevo, situated west of the Carpathian arch. This locality remains the most important in the country and provides four Lower Palaeolithic assemblages, of which two were recognised below the Brunhes–Matuyama boundary. Several new stratified localities were discovered recently: among these are Malyj Rakovets IV, situated in the Central European part of Ukraine, and Medzhybozh and Maslovo located in the western edge of the East European plain. All these localities are dated to the Middle Pleistocene, but only Medzhybozh has yielded rich and various biostratigraphic data. Some Ukrainian surface localities also provide assemblages of likely Lower Palaeolithic age; among these are Neporotovo IV in the Dniester area and Gaspra and Cape Mayachny in Crimea. Regardless of limited primary evidence, Lower Palaeolithic localities of Ukraine exhibit certain regularities, in particular concerning their spatial pattern.

High genetic differentiation in the alpine plant Campanula alpina Jacq. (Campanulaceae): evidence for glacial survival in several Carpathian regions and long‐term isolation between the Carpathians and the Alps

A survey of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation was conducted to elucidate the phylogeography of Campanula alpina, a key species of silicicolous alpine grasslands in the Carpathians with a disjunct distribution in the Eastern European Alps. The Carpathians experienced a different glacial history from the Alps: local glaciers were present only in the highest massifs, while alpine habitats extended over larger areas related to their present distribution in this region. We asked: (i) whether in the Carpathians a high-mountain plant exhibits a complex phylogeographical structure or rather signatures of recent migrations, and (ii) whether the disjunct part of the species' distribution in the Alps resulted from a recent colonization from the Carpathians or from a restricted expansion from separate Eastern Alpine refugia. Our study revealed a clear phylogeographical pattern in AFLPs supported by congruent groups of distinct cpDNA haplotypes. Highest genetic differentiation was observed between the Alps and the Carpathians, indicating a long-term isolation between populations from these two mountain ranges. Further genetic division within the Carpathians suggests that current species' distribution is composed of several groups which have been isolated from each other for a long period. One genetic break separates Western from Southeastern Carpathian material, which is in line with a classical biogeographical boundary. A further, strongly supported genetic group was identified at the southwestern edge of the Carpathian arch. In the Eastern Alps, genetic traces of glacial survival in separate refugial areas in the calcareous northern part and the siliceous central part were found.

Miocene Carbonate Platforms in the Polish Carpathians (Central Paratethys). Foraminiferal record

The Neogene in Central Paratethys was the period when flysch deposition was replaced by that of molasse in both the Carpathian foldbelt and its foredeep. The sedimentation processes were coeval, closely relevant with tectonic phases of the Carpathian orogen evo¬ lution. The paper deals with Middle Miocene (Badenian) Lithothamnium-be&amp;rmg sediments located in south-east Poland (Rzeszow vicinity), which were deposited in piggyback basins on the folded flysch unit They consist of organodetrital limestones inter-bedded by marly clays, and yield red algae, Foraminifera and many fossils of shallow-water fauna. The foraminiferal assemblages of Discorbacea, Rotaliacea and Orbitoidacea are dominating in the region. Cibicides lobatulus, numerous Amphistegina , Elphidium , Rosalina group, Discorbis, as well as frequent arenaceous and plank-tonic taxa, are present in these deposits. Differentiation of foraminifera palaeocoenosis have been oberved and interpreted as being due to palaeogeographic differences of each basin. Globigerinacea and Radiolaria taxa of the deposits were used as biostratigraphic indica¬ tors. Conclusion on tectonic position of the carbonate deposits could be supported by foraminiferal data. The resolution implays a thesis on Sarmatian orogenic activity at this part of Carpathian arch.

Plate Tectonics History of Romania

Similarities in lithology and age suggest that the Moesian and Moldavian platforms were united until late Precambrian tine when an independent geological evolution began in parts of Romania and lasted through Paleozoic time. In Middle Triassic time, mafic rocks appeared in the East Carpathians and Dobrogea as part of a wide belt, caused by crustal distension, from the West Carpathians to the Caucasus. Plate separation led to the development of the Siret Ocean between Pannonia and Moldavia. Jurassic sedimentation started as a shallow-water, transgressive facies except in spreading centers, such as the Siret Ocean and the proto-Apuseni area, which was then part of the Dinarides and where ophiolites with interlayered chert and radiolarite formed. By Early Cretaceous time, movement sense changed and the microplates were translated toward the stable craton. The Apuseni ophiolites were obducted onto continental crust. Convergent plate boundaries, with flysch, nappe structures, and silicic volcanism, developed between Moesia-Pannonia and the Tethys-Dinaric Oceans and between Pannonia and the Siret Ocean. In Paleocene time, a belt of calc-alkalic rocks (banatites) developed in western Romania and the Balkan Mountains as a result of plate convergence of Rhodope and Moesia as the last of Tethys was subducted. This was followed by a continental collision of Moesia and Pannonia and the uplift of the South Carpathians. Neogene volcanism and molasse developed as end stages of plate subduction and collision. Modern earthquake activity of the Vrancea Mountains and high heat flow in Transylvania suggest that subduction is still going on around the great Carpathian arch.

The importance of information on the hydrological and geothermal situation with respect to the prospection of the new sources of low enthalpy water in Slovakia

Slovakia is situated on the territory of West Carpathian Mts., representing a part of the young Alpine-Carpathian foldnappe system. Considering the small extension of Slovakia, about 49,000 km 2, one could say that the country is considerably rich in thermal water. Up till now about 60 localities with thermal water occurrences have been discovered, with a total yield of about 700 l/s. The yield of the separate localities fluctuates within 0.5–50 l/s and the temperature of natural springs within 20–70 °C. The thermal power obtainable from these waters may range up to about 60 million kcal/h ( Franko 1969 b). From the point of view of chemistry there are predominantly calcium-magnesium-sulphate-bicarbonate waters with mineralization usually within 0.5 ÷ 0.8 to 3.0, and in some places up to 4.0–6.0 g/l. The thermal waters are bound to the tectonic zone of the Inner West Carpathians, i. e. to its Mesozoic limestone-dolomite complexes. Mesozoic formations are on a row of parallel anticlinorii and synclinorii formed by Cretaceous folding. These anticlinorii and synclinorii follow approximately the direction of the Carpathian arch (SW-NE, W-E, NW-SE), being composed of a whole row of partial synclines and anticlines. The Cretaceous structural forms (morphotectonic units), i. e. mega-anticlines representing mountain-ranges, and megasynclines, representing Tertiary depression and lowlands are divergent according to their direction ( Mahel' 1966). The Cretaceous and post-Paleogene structural forms are deformed by the Neogene german-typical directional and transversal fault tectonics. The hydrogeological systems represent the result of the above three evolutionary tectonic stages. These systems include Cretaceous, post-Paleogene and Neogene forms, and determine the infiltration, accumulation and the spring areas, as well as the circuit, descent and ascent, of the thermal waters ( Franko 1969 a). The above mentioned lithological and tectonical situation caused the rise of thermal waters and presented the possibility of finding new sources of low enthalpy waters. Natural thermal springs occur in the fault on the border of depressions and lowlands. The temperature of the waters is mostly influenced by cold shallow subsurface waters in the spring area and in its close vicinity. For this reason the prospection of low enthalpy waters will be oriented into the deepest parts of depressions and lowlands with respect to the favourable structural situation. Another factor offering the possibilities of finding new sources of low enthalpy waters is represented by the favourable geothermal conditions ( Franko 1969 c). The average value of the heat flow is 2.13 μcal/cm 2 sec: the values move within 1.32–2.70. It is a higher value than the central-European 1.67 (Čermák 1968) and the world average 1.58 ( Lee, Uyeda 1965). Also the average value of the geothermal degree on territories including thermal water is higher than the world average 33 m/°C. The increased values of the flow indicate, that for the heating of a certain amount of cold water less extensive areas are necessary than those found by geothermal balance with the use of the values of the world or the central-European average. The decreased values of the geothermal degree indicate the possibilities for the drilling and finding of warmer waters than those with the temperature calculated for the same depth according to the world average values. Favourable hydrogeological structures and geothermal situation offer opportunities for finding new sources of low enthalpy waters in Slovakia.