The construction and interior layout of earthen dwellings in rural settlements along the upper Reut River (Florești District)

Abstract

In some rural settlements along the upper course of the Reut River, one can still find people living in earthen dwellings – semi-subterranean structures known locally as bașcă or bășcuță. Such dwellings are a rarity in our country and, at the same time, have not been sufficiently studied or utilized. Although some dugouts are still inhabited, others are in a state of significant disrepair, and some have disappeared over time. To analyze the construction and interior layout of dugouts, we will use the settlements of Domuljeni, Țira, and Roșietici in the Florești district as examples. Throughout 2025, we conducted several field studies in these villages and were able to speak with people living in such dwellings. Thus, we were able to observe how these people have adapted to this type of housing, despite the modest living conditions characterized by limited space and the absence of essential amenities such as a bathroom. Nevertheless, the small size of the dugouts allows residents to save a significant amount of money, especially during the cold season, as less firewood is required to heat such dwellings. In addition, these structures provide natural thermal comfort: they stay cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Recently, this type of dwelling has attracted international media attention, including from Agence France-Presse, thereby contributing to the global promotion of these unique house.