The Fortifications in Orăştie Mountains as Enclosures
Jan. 1, 2016
Keywords:
Orăştiei Mountains
functionality
boundaries
enclosures
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Abstract
Enclosure-making is a phenomenon of human evolution that can be identified throughout all historical periods.
Within archaeological research, the most frequently encountered types of enclosures are ditches, banks, and walls.
During the last few years, specialists in the relevant field of research from Western Europe have started to approach
this topic from various perspectives in an attempt to explain the reasons behind this phenomenon rather than
its technical aspects. This is precisely the reason why the term enclosure covers a wide range of constructions
and designs but does not necessarily indicate a clear functionality. The Dacian fortifications from the Orăştiei
Mountains, i.e. Băniţa, Căpâlna, Costeşti-Blidaru, Costeşti-Cetăţuie, Grădiștea de Munte-Sarmizegetusa Regia
and Luncani-Piatra Roşie can also be included in this category of enclosures. Over the following pages I will
attempt to examine them according to a model of analysis employed for the Iron Age fortifications on British territory also to Orăştiei Mountains fortresses
