Siedlungsstruktur und Demographie in Teleac: eine spätbronzezeitliche – früheisenzeitliche Befestigung in Siebenbürgen

Recent investigations at the Teleac hillfort in south-western Transylvania have generated new data on the spatial organisation and history of the settlement. A combination of excavations and geophysical prospection revealed that Teleac was a dense and well organised settlement with a substantial population, and that some sections of the hillfort likely were used for different activities. It is also argued that Teleac likely dominated the open settlements and acted as a hub for transportation and trade throughout the region.Jüngste Untersuchungen in der befestigten Höhensiedlung von Teleac im südwestlichen Siebenbürgen haben neue Daten zur räumlichen Organisation und Siedlungsgeschichte erbracht. Ausgrabungen in Kombination mit geophysikalischer Prospektion konnten zeigen, dass Teleac eine dichte und gut organisierte Siedlung mit einer erheblichen Bevölkerung war und dass einige Bereiche der befestigten Höhensiedlung für unterschiedliche Aktivitäten genutzt wurden. Es wird auch argumentiert, dass Teleac wahrscheinlich die offenen Siedlungen beherrschte und als Drehkreuz für Transport und Handel in der Region fungierte

The Teleac hillfort in Southwestern Transylvania: the role of the settlement, war and the destruction of the fortification system

Geophysical prospection and excavations show that the heavily fortified Teleac hillfort was densely occupied with a population reaching the low thousands. In this article it is argued that Teleac was a local political centre that acted as a hub for transportation and trade in a region that is rich in mineral resources. Recent investigations also reveal that Teleac was attacked in the late 10th century in an event that breached and destroyed the formidable northern defensive system. This attack suggests that the level of military threat was quite severe in the eastern Carpathian Basin. The attacking forces must have had significant offensive capabilities in order to tackle Teleac’s defences. It is also a strong indication that not only Teleac, but contemporary fortified settlements in the surrounding region were at least in part erected to resist serious military threats