Marta, Livius et al.: The Late Bronze Age Settlement of Nyíregyháza-Oros „Úr Csere” (Satu Mare, 2010)
II. Daniel V. Sana - Liviu Marta: The Fortification System of the Settlement
complex, of which the archaeozoologist on site said to belong to a species that lives in flowing water. Therefore, it can be assumed that the ditch was filled with flowing water, either from Nagykálló Brook or from the tributary stream that flew into it, in the southern side of the site12. Animal bones, large stone rocks or even replenishable ceramic were also discovered spread on the bottom of the ditch. Two large pots were also deposited in the ditch, an amphora and a supply pot (PI. 27/4, 28/2). The existence of some deposits of vessels in the defense ditch was found in the defense ditch of Sântana fortification, too13. To the east limit of the area studied, approximately in its middle, very close to the profile, the ditch is interrupted, a pit with no archaeological material, so with uncertain dating, appearing at its end (Complex no. 274). We are tempted to consider the pit as one used for the gate posts, although its shape is not at all relevant for this type of arrangement. If we accept the existence of a gate on this side, this could only be a simple one, without any evidence indicating the existence of a bastion. It is interesting that right in this area, on an area of several meters, the pits, numerous in other squares from outside and inside the perimeter, are missing. This fact is a further argument for our claim that this area was intended to serve a traffic route. As concerns the other component of a fortification, the earth wall, this could not be documented by the excavations carried out on the route of the ring road. We suppose that the presence of the ditch implies the existence of a wall and of a palisade. It must have existed since the earth removed from the ditch during its digging has not been identified outside the enclosure. Probably the intensive agricultural work and the sandy soil, from which it derives, made it undetectable today. Since many archaeological complexes are located near the ditch, we admit the possibility that the wall was never built. This is valid in case all the mentioned complexes are contemporary with the fortification. In addition, a wall near the ditch would have raised a major issue related to its maintenance. Given the sandy soil, the stability of palisade would have been jeopardized, as a matter of fact impossible to implant it on the wall crest, but it would have especially led to the clogging of the ditch within a relatively short period of time. Thus, we believe that the soil excavated from the trench was most likely spread within the enclosure, the lifting of an earth wall being abandoned, due to the reasons stated above. 12 For this information we acknowledge Mr. Matyas Vremir, of the Faculty of Geology, „Babeş-Bolyai” University. 13 Hügel et alii 2010, www.cimec.ro/Arheologie/cronicaCA2010/cd/index.htp. 12
