Naslov
Earthwork elements of defensive systems of small strongholds in the Kingdom of Slavonia

Autori
Tkalčec, Tatjana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of Abstracts from the 4th International Conference on Mediaeval Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology, "Fortifications, defensive systems, structures and features in the past", Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, 7 – 9 June 2017 / Tkalčec, Tatjana - Zagreb : Institut za arheologiju, 2017, 68-69

ISBN
978-953-6064-32-8

Skup
Fortifications, defensive systems, structures and features in the past

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 07.06.2017. - 09.06.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
mediaeval fortification ; earthwork fortification ; defensive systems, Kingdom of Slavonia, Middle Ages

Sažetak
Small hillforts and lowland moated and mounded sites are found throughout the entire area bordered by the Drava and Sava rivers, in northern Pannonian part of Croatia, which in the Middle Ages was called as the Kingdom of Slavonia. They are located on naturally prominent positions on hilltops and slopes or in the plains where they often exploit local water courses and groundwater as an additional element of defense. There is evident concentration of such fortifications near settlements, main road communications and water courses. Their common characteristic are earthwork defensive systems such as earthen ramparts, mounds and ditches. Construction of earthen fortifications was a relatively small effort in comparison to expensive masonry work, especially in the reagions where there was a lack of natural obstacles or the lack of nearby stone sources for masonry work. Their existence may be expected at sites where the surrounding areas were changed by subsequent reconstructions (inner colonisation) and expansions (13th century) and also in the times when danger from outer enemy is actual (15th cent., Turkish incursions). The present-day archaeological understanding of their function and the time when they were raised indicates that they have served as fortified seats of feudal lords, and even more of the lower nobility, that is of their properties in the period between the 13th and 16th cent. The aim of this paper is to identify elements of the defensive system – earth walls, embankments, ditches, platforms, palisades, etc., which can be found in different types of these small castles. This insight will attempt to present their various applications, and to try to examine possible patterns in the organization of a given stronghold’s defensive system.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Arheologija

POVEZANOST RADA