Prehistory of Transylvania Prehistory of Transylvania The Prehistory of Transylvania describes what can be learned about the region known as Transylvania through archaeology, anthropology, comparative linguistics and other allied sciences. Transylvania proper is a plateau or tableland in northwest central Romania. It is bounded and defined by the Carpathian Mountains to the east and south, and the Apuseni Mountains to the west. As a diverse and relatively protected region, the area has always been rich in wildlife, and remains one of the more ecologically diverse areas in Europe. The mountains contain a large number of caves, which attracted both human and animal residents.
Early German colonists in Transylvania Early German colonists in Transylvania Medardus de Nympz is the Latinized name of Medard zu Nimesch, an early medieval German colonist in Transylvania. Born around 1215 in the Moselle Franconian area of Luccelemburc (Luxembourg), Medardus served during his early years as a "squire" (Edelknecht) in the Horseman Entourage of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. In 1237 Medardus was appointed a Knight of the Holy Roman Empire in recognition of his valiant services at the Battle of Cortenuova. In 1243 Medardus followed the invitation of the Hungarian King Bela IV to settle in Transylvania (ad retinendam coronam), which had been