Oppidum Třísov
The Oppidum Třísov is a Celtic fortification near Třísov in the municipality of Holubov in Okres Český Krumlov . The southernmost oppidum in the Czech Republic was an important base on the Linzer Steig , where salt was transported from the Alpine region via Linz with the hill settlements on Freinberg and Gründberg along the Vltava , with today's Vyšší Brod and the Celtic hill settlements in Nevězice (at Orlík ), Hrazany and Závist south of Prague . The remains of the Třísov oppidum have been declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
location
The oppidum is located in Jihočeský kraj (South Bohemian Region), 13 km southwest of Ceske Budejovice . It is well protected on three sides by the steep mountain slopes that slope towards the Vltava and the Křemžský potok (Krems brook). The highest point of the oppidum is 551 meters above sea level and 120 meters above the Vltava.
Tourists can arrive by train or park their car at the Třísov train station, from where the oppidum and Dívčí Kámen castle can be reached in less than an hour on foot.
history
The reason for the settlement was not only the strategically favorable location on the Vltava, but also the existing deposits of graphite and iron ore . The oldest evidence of the settlement of Třísov are Bronze Age finds of ceramics, weapons and jewelry. In the second century BC The hillside settlement on the Vltava was still unfortified. Around 120 BC However, two walls and a stone wall were built. At this heyday, the settlement reached its greatest extent and covered an area of 26 hectares. At that time Třísov played an important role in long-distance transport and as an economic and religious center. The decline began at the turn of the ages when the Třísov oppidum, like many other Celtic settlements, was permanently abandoned by its residents.
Attachment
The most vulnerable side in the west was protected by two lines of mighty ramparts that can still be seen today. The outer and inner walls were constructed similarly to other Celtic hill settlements. The rampart, about 7 meters wide at the base, was reinforced by vertical beams set into the ground that were about 1.5 meters apart and a wooden lattice construction. A wooden palisade formed the upper part of the fortification . The outer wall was provided with a stone curtain wall, which - as a special feature - was apparently inspired by Mediterranean patterns. Because the stones were placed in a certain way with the intention of creating the impression of massive blocks and thus undoubtedly exerting a psychological effect on potential attackers.
Perhaps the most interesting defensive element, however, is the 15–20 meter wide moat between the fortifications, which was interrupted by low stone walls that prevented the intruder from moving sideways in the space between the two walls. This extraordinary structure is still visible in the form of regularly changing ridges and grooves in the terrain.
The main entrance to the oppidum was on the west side. It consisted of the well-fortified outer gate, which also protected the water source of the hilltop settlement, and an inner pincer gate , which was probably surmounted by a wooden tower. The eastern gate, which has not yet been adequately explored, was probably built in a similar manner to the inner western gate. It was additionally reinforced by two separate bastions.
Development
Within the oppidum there are two elevations in the north and south. An unusual octagonal roofed sanctuary was located on the northern acropolis. The extraordinary importance of this place is attested by a bronze basin that was found there and imported from Italy. The southern acropolis apparently served as a residence for the upper class.
Craft
In the Třisov oppidum, craftsmanship reached a very high level. Pottery was made on potter's wheels, with graphite added to the clay. This graphite ceramic was the most important export product. Transport containers for the valuable alpine salts and objects for everyday use were made from them. Three quarters of the ceramic finds in Třísov can be assigned to this graphite ceramic.
The iron production itself took place in specialized workshops outside of Oppidum. However, the blacksmiths work in the settlement, as evidenced by the large number of blacksmith tools found. Various types of weapons (spear and arrowheads, etc.), everyday objects (scissors, blades, hatchets, plows, scythes, etc.) and jewelry (clasps, belt buckles, pendants, etc.) were manufactured. Non-ferrous metals were also processed (clasps, bracelets, rings). Various statues and sculptures were cast from bronze.
Glass production was also at a high level, as the finds of locally produced glass beads and fragments of glass bracelets attest.
literature
- Petr Drda, Alena Rybová: Keltové a Čechy . Praha 1998, ISBN 80-200-0658-3 .
- Eliška Kazdová, Karel Sklenář, Jana Vignatiová: Archeologické památky. Čechy, Morava, Slezsko . Opava 1994, ISBN 80-85819-08-2 , pp. 221-223.
Web links
- Celtic oppidum Třísov . In: Online encyclopedia encyklopedie.ckrumlov.cz about Krummau .
- Holubov, oppidum Třísov on archeolog.cz (Czech).
- Pravěké hradiště - oppidum Třísov on archeologickyatlas.cz (Czech).
Coordinates: 48 ° 53 ′ 14 " N , 14 ° 21 ′ 4" E