The first building-phase of the fortification at Horodca Mică

During four years time (2006-2009) regular investigations were undertaken in the area covered by the defensive line at Horodca Mică. We would like to emphasize that our field observations suggest the existence of several stages of fortification of the same space and what is visible today in the form of a hill of impressive dimensions, preceded by an adjacent ditch, are only ruins of the final phase of this defensive system. Since the stratigraphic picture is too complex to be present in its entire form (even preliminarily), we decided to focus on some particular aspects which can be introduced to an academic audience with sufficient confidence. Therefore we only focused on the first stage of fortification of the promontory of Horodca Mică.

To prove out point we present, primarily, a number of objective observations registered on the ground. Secondly, we explain our vision about how the defensive system was built in the first phase. Finally, we will analyze the techniques and materials used in constructions and their existing analogies, the available chronological markers, and the fate the fortification had.

In conclusion, we affirm that a complex defensive system was arranged in this space. The construction was based on a wooden case extended over 4.3 meters, and was filled up with soil that was excavated from its front. This formed a ditch measuring 7.8 meters at the opening and of 2.7 meters at its maximum depth. It should be noted that the ditch was at 3.7 meters distance from the limit of construction, forming in this way the traditional berm for such defensive systems. Similar edifices could be reported in the eastern Carpathian area and neighboring areas during the whole Latène period.

List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Horodca Mică: 1 - Horodca Site location; 2 - topographic sketch of sections location drown in 2006-2009 years.
Fig. 2. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1 in the area of I phase of fortification. Plan and profile.
Fig. 3. Horodca Mică 2009. Plan and profiles of the complexes from section nr. 1.
Fig. 4. Horodca Mică. Sight of the fortified enclosure: 1 - Southern view; 2 - Western view.
Fig. 5. Horodca Mică. Sight of the bastion: 1 - Southern view; 2 - Western view.
Fig. 6. Horodca Mică: 1 - sequence of research process of defensive system; 2 - Southern view of the section nr. 1 after releasing the beginning few layers.
Fig. 7. Horodca Mică. Sight of the fortification: 1 - Northerly view; 2 - Southern view.
Fig. 8. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1. Sight of the West profile ith delimitation of the various phases of construction.
Fig. 9. Horodca Mică. The West profile of the section nr 1 with traces of defensive, I phase construction.
Fig. 10. Horodca Mică: 1 - sight of the burnt, clay concentration; 2 - view of the coal strip detected under agglomeration of soldering.
Fig. 11. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1: 1 - sight of the West profile in the area of the ruins of the I phase construction; 2 - the agglomeration of soldering and wood coal.
Fig. 12. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1: 1 - delimitation of the ground lenses between I phase of the constructions damage and II phase; 2 - the I phase ditch in the investigations process.
Fig. 13. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1: 1 - the plan of the complexes nr. 26 and nr. 27 from Southern extreme of the I phase; 2 - The section of the complexes nr. 26 and nr. 27.
Fig. 14. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1. Sight of the ditch were was identified complexes nr. 44 and 46: 1 - a general
view; 2 - sight of the Eastern view; 3 - sight of the Western view.
Fig. 15. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1: 1 - sight of the complex nr 46 in the discovery phase; 2 - sight of the discovered complex nr. 46 and complex nr. 44 in the investigations process; 3 - sight of the complexes nr. 46 and 44.
Fig. 16. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1. Sight of the discovery phase of complexes nr. 28 and nr. 29: 1 - a general view of the both complexes; 2 - complex nr. 28; 3 - complex nr. 29.
Fig. 17. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1. Complexes nr. 28 and nr. 29: investigations process.
Fig. 18. Horodca Mică. Section nr. 1. Sight of the research phase of complexes nr. 28 and. 29: 1 - complex nr. 28; 2 - complex nr. 29.