Fitz Jenő (szerk.): The Celts in Central Europe - István Király Múzeum közelményei. A. sorozat 20. A Pannon konferenciák aktái 2. (Székesfehérvár, 1975)
J. Bren: La Téne circular structures in Central Europe
LA TLXE CIRCULAR STRUCTURES IX CENTRAL EUROPE In the years 1971 — 1972 a pole structure of octagonal groundplan was uncovered at the Celtic oppidum at Tfisov, district Ceskÿ Krumlov, in South Bohemia. This structure was found at the northern „acropolis”, at a place immediately below the highest elevation, on a mild slope facing the central part of the oppidum from the south and southeast. The Celtic oppidum at Tfisov is dominated by two hillocks, one in the north, the other in the south, and the settlement was concentrated in a wide and shallow depression between these two hillocks. The pole structure was of a privileged status, for it was visible from all parts of the oppidum. It is highly probable that tills structure, which in the opinion of the author had a sacred purpose, was built within a limited area. Close to the structure there was found a shallow ditch, whose two arms meet at right angles. Investigation of the remaining parts of the ditch well may be very difficult, and even impossible, because part of the highest elevation of the acropolis is covered by thick and impenetrable wood. Both arms of the ditch are very shallow. Most of the humus had been washed down from peak of the acropolis and the bare bedrock is at places coming to the surface, so that any major interference such as cutting the wood or tearing up the stumps of the trees would disturb the terrain and destroy any traces of past construction activities. The arm of the ditch that runs approximately in the northwest — southeast direction approaches the western side of the pole structure within several metres. The exact relation between the ditch and the pole structure is not yet known. It is presumed that both structures are in some relation both contained finds of late La Tène graphite and fine pottery — with the exception of the Middle ages no other prehistoric culture has been ascertained at the oppidum, but these theories could yet been proved with certainty. The pole structure was of octagonal groundplan. Of the foundations there have been preserved nine deep post holes; the post apparently supported a wooden structure. Xo traces have been found of a stone underpinning along the circumference of the structure. Because the top soil at this place is only 10 to 15 cm thick, the chances of finding such traces were not very probable. This tract of land used to be a field, wich was cultivated, and the preservation of any traces of a stone structure seems to be very improbable. Eight of the post holes along the circumference form a regular octagon, while the ninth one was found at a place where the slope was steepest, and apparently accomodated a post which supported the whole structure at the point greatest strain on the slope. The diameter of the octagon is approximately 12 metres. The poles along the circumference supported horizontal beams, but also roof beams, which radiated towards the central point of the structure, where they were resting upon three central poles, located in the corners of an equilatelar triangle, whose one side measured about one metre. The central poles were apparently bound together in the upper part and formed an independent internal structure resembling a tent. About 10 metres away from the structure there was found the handle of a bronze pan of Roman origin, which was of the Aylesford type (votive offering)Judging by the finds of brooches, painted pottery and other aspects (among other things imitation of a more advanced type of wall structure) it is believed that Tfisov belongs to the most recent oppida in Bohemia (60 B.C. to the beginning of A. D.). Its location — Tfisov is one of the southermost Celtic settlements in Bohemia — resulted in a much more intensive cultural influence of the Antique, and particularly Roman, civilizations, coming from
