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Tihany

Tihany-Óvár, the cca 1 km long and 400 m wide plateau at the north-eastern part of the Tihany peninsula, is a fortified settlement from the Late Bronze and Early and Late Iron Ages, known since the last century. It is surrounded by a 1100–1200 m long rampart from the Late Iron Age. The protruding plateau, dominating the shores of the lake, can be seen from far away. Due to the natural cleft, the oval territory is open to the east. Because of the steep hillside, there is no need for a rampart. The area between the steep hillside and western side of the plateau is covered with terraces. Tumuli from the Early Iron Age were found at the foot of the hill. They refer to the former south-west gate of the castle, near the present service road. At the northern part of the castle, there is a U shaped smaller area with an east-west direction, which is bordered by a rampart and a ditch at the southern part. This is from the 10th–11th centuries.

The site was excavated in 1999–2000. Post constructions (10 houses) and large pits were unearthed on an area of 1000 m2. In 2006, another small part of the site was investigated. Prehistoric postholes, pits and an oven, as well as some graves from the 11th century were explored. The earliest archaeological phenomenon excavated is a pit from the “tumulus culture” (final period of the Middle Bronze Age), at the bottom of which whole vases were found.

Most of the finds come from the Bronze Age (Urnfield culture) and from the early Hallstatt Period (HaC). The most interesting part of the finds is a house from the transitional period, HD3-La Tene A. The youngest level is from the La Tene D period.

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