Achaeometrical Research in Hungary II., 1988

ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY - Gábor ILON: Celtic period fortifitations and an experiment to reconstruct the rampart - Gór (Vas county)

served timber or post hole. Accordingly, the widths of the framework at post holes K4K3-K2-K1 in sections Cl-2 measured 208-250-280 cm. In sections D-l-3 sk8 - sk2: 125 cm, sk7-sk4: 185 cm, sk6-skl3-skl-skl9: 230 - 325 - 190 cm were measured. The same measurements in section E-l sk3-skl-sk2 were: 210-200 cm. The real length data of the framework were: 95 and 130 cm in sections C-l-2 K4-K13-K10 and 185 cm between K1-K9. In sections D-l-3 between sk7-sk6: 150 cm, skl2-sk4-skl3: 200-140 cm (Figs. 4, 7). These data show, that the construction did not exactly live up to an engineer's precision. Regularity, of course, is relative. The wooden construction of the rampart closes an obtuse angle to the edge of the hill (Fig. 4). This seems to have been made made to prevent sliding and avert lateral pressure, just as was hypothesised at the site of Velem. At the nearby site of St. Vid in Velem, county Vas (cca 30 km as the bird flies), the first research of the fortification was carried out by M. Károlyi (KAROLYI 1985: 414415, Fig. 16, 22-24). She found traces indicative of a rampart with an undefined timber and stone construction in a 1 m wide trench. M. Fekete (FEKETE 1986: 57-67) gave a previous report of her subsequent research. A stone wall from the LT D period, raised on an Early Iron Age (Ha D) wall was found in her 5 and 10 m wide sections on the first terrace under the plateau (FEKETE 1986. 60-61, Taf. 6, 10).

6 She, however has not yet published technical details. The vertically directed, large rampart, dated to the LT D period, closes the settlement to the north. It was cut through with 1 m wide trenches at three spots. Due to the small cross-section, however, she could not make meaningful observations concerning the construction. A French-Hungarian research co-operation launched in 1988 (BUCHSENSCHUTZ et.al. 1990: 14-24, Fig. 1-4, 8, 12, 14; BUCHSENSCHUTZ et.al. 1990b: 45-54, Fig. 3-5; SZABÓ et.al. 1994: 107-126, Fig. 3-4) enriched our knowledge about this defence structure. The vertically directed big rampart dated to the LT D period, which closes the settlement to the north, was cut through in a width of 5 m. Its structure was as follows: a double stone wall (with an earth fill in between) over a gravel foundation, and a timber lace structure that closed an obtuse angle with the slope's direction to avert the lateral pressure. The measurements of the timber frame were cca. 3.2 x 1.3 m (Measurements after BUCHSENSCHUTZ et.al. 1990: Fig. 3. and BUCHSENSCHUTZ et.al. 1990b: Fig. 3). A ditch was localised on the outer side of the rampart. In the natural "entrance" zone of the fortification, a Late Celtic earth rampart with a structure of gravel foundation and a stone core was cut through in a width of 2 m. It was strengthened with large stones and a ditch on the outer side. At the fortification dated to the terminal LT D at Ostffyasszony-Földvármajor (also in Vas county, approximately 30 km from Gór as the crow flies), M. Károlyi carried out excavations (KÁROLYI 1985: 393-417. Fig. 3-5, 7-9, 12-13). She worked on the rampart with 3 m wide trenches. The timber framework made of oak {Quercus robur) has proven to be (according to my measurements) a lace structure with a width of 4.3 m, filled in with earth. No stone was applied since it cannot be found in the vicinity. The excavator also observed a ditch at the southern, outer side of the rampart. Here and in the case of all quatations I accepted the dating of the author. Close to Trier, the duration of Í the LT С and middle LT D is dated by radiocarbon method between 250 ВС. and 150. In the case of Manching the same dating method resulted 269/250 -125/115 ВС. See Urban 1994 23-27. 230