The Transylvanian plateaux has been populated continuously from the earliest times - from the early Neolithic Gura Baciului culture, through the Bronze age when Transylvania dominated regional Bronze production, then the Iron age resulting in the Dacian kingdom.
The period after the Roman withdrawal is also know as the age of migrations where successive invading powers held Transylvania.
There are a few archaeological sites which are cited with continuous occupation through this period: 367 graves have been found at Bratei, 193 tombs at Soporul de Câmpie, 193 tombs at Soporul de Câmpie, cemeteries at Alba, Bietan and surrounding settlements, and sites in Brasov region including Felmer, and Sercaia with Daco-Roman settlements.
The practicality is that it is unlikely that a pastoral or shepherding population would have left much archaeological evidence.
In terms of adoption of language, costume and customs the Slavs would appear to have had the greatest influence on the Vlachs.
Very little is documented in chronicles referring to Transylvania, although much is known about the Hungarian kingdom in the other regions including Bihar on the borders between the Hungarian plain and the mountains into Transylvania:
- 1002-1003 - conflict between Gyula of Transylvania and Stephen I (birth name: Vajk) which leads to Transylvania being under the Hungarian crown. Gyula could be a name meaning 'warlord' and historians believe the mother of Stephen I was the daughter of a Gyula of Transylvania.
- 1075 - Ultra siluam (beyond the forest) is used in references to the area.
- 1097 - first mention of a Transylvanian town (Alba Iulia).
- 11th century - Partes Transsylvanæ (parts beyond the forest) used in Legenda Sancti Gerhardi.
- 1111 - first mention of a 'prince of Transylvania' named Mercurius.
- 1141 - colonisation of Transylvania with Germans.
- 1176 - first mention of a Transylvania voivode named Leustachius.
- 12th century - Gesta Hungarorum (source of the stories of rulers Menumorut, Gelu and Glad).
- ~1280 - Simon de Kéza Chronicon Hungarium (talks about Gyula whose family settled in Transylvania.
The Voivode of Transylvania was a territorial governor to the Hungarian crown. This title has Slavic origins possibly prior to the Hungarian conquest of the region. This title existed until the Principality of Transylvania was formed in the 16th century.
Events leading to the Principality of Transylvania:
- 1526 - Battle of Móhacs where the Hungarian army is defeated by the Ottomans and Buda is taken.
- 1528 - Hungarian crown contested by János Szapolyai (supported by the Ottomans, France, Moldavia) and Ferdinand of Habsburg (supported by Austrians and Transylvanian Saxons)
- 1529 - Ottomans seize Buda and enthrone János Szapolyai.
- 1540 - János Szapolyai dies and Hungary comes under Ferdinand of Habsburg, and the Transylvania throne is granted by the Ottoman Porte to Szapolyai's son John II.
- 1541 - Ottoman seize Buda and the Kingdom of Hungary is divided: centre and south become an Ottoman pashalik, the north is given to the Habsburgs, and Transylvania plus the 'Partium' are an autonomous Principality acknowledging the suzerainty of the Porte.
- Following the death of John II the Báthory family came to power which marked the beginning of the Principality of Transylvania.
Principality of Transylvania was a semi-independent state existing from 1571 to 1711.
Events leading to the Habsburg acquisition of Transylvania:
- 1683 - defeat of the Ottomans at the Battle of Vienna.
- 1686 - Treaty of Vienna: Transylvania accepts the protection of the Habsburg empire.
- 1691 - Habsburg inherits the Hungarian crown and acquires Transylvania.
- 1711 - the princes of Transylvania were replaced with Austrian governors.
- 1765 - Transylvania was declared a grand principality.
- 1848 - revolution with the Hungarians, led by the Polish general Józef Bem, battling Romanian and Saxon troops under Austrian command.
- 1849 - After the intervention by the armies of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, Bem's army was defeated decisively at the Battle of Temesvár (Timişoara).
- Austria ruled Transylvania through a military governor and granted citizenship to the Romanians.
- 1867 - Austro-Hungarian agreement which established the dual monarchy and reincorporated Transylvania into the Kingdom of Hungary.
- 1919 - The Treaty of Versailles
- 1919 - The Treaty of St. Germain
- 1920 - The Treaty Trianon