Typology and evolution of gates and access into early Hallstattian fortresses in Tisa-Dniester space

For the time interval between the second half of the 12th century BC and early 8th century BC, in the space between Tisa and Dniester Rivers have been discovered about 140 fortifications. Most of them (121) are concentrated in the cultural area of Gáva-Holihrady culture and the rest, a smaller number, are known in cultures: Vârtop, Chişinău-Corlăteni, Babadag, Cozia-Saharna and Insula Banului. Regardless of cultural belonging, early Hallstatt fortifications have a number of common features: the location in strategic places, the presence of artificial defensive elements (“wallum”, ditch, etc.), the adaptation to the specific land defense system on which they are located, etc. Along with defensive constructions, the entrance method to the sites represent an important element of every fortification. The ways of access had to be easy for the residents and difficult for the enemy. Of all the defensive elements that were endowed, the gate remains the most vulnerable part. Hence the resulting increased attention paid to the access system in all times, including during the Hallstatt.