House architecture in the Early Iron Age fortified settlement of Dédestapolcsány-Verebce-bérc

Abstract During the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, hillforts of various sizes and topographic features appeared in the mountainous areas of Northern Hungary. The difficult accessibility and the forest environment make research on the sites a complex task, therefore little is known about the internal layout of the settlements, and the structure, as well as the quantity and location of the buildings on their territory. Between 2022 and 2024 – within the framework of the research project on Early Iron Age crises – the staff of the Institute of Archaeology of Eötvös Loránd University carried out excavations at Dédestapolcsány-Verebce-bérc, a fortified settlement, which was besieged and destroyed in the 7th–6th centuries BC. The research was undertaken at the southwestern part of the 140-ha site, known as the Pados, which is covered by an artificial terracing system. On two of the investigated terraces, remains of buildings of different structures were observed: one had stone foundation, and the other had a wooden construction and clay plastered walls. The excavated houses provide new information about the architectural methods of the period and the region. The aim of this work is to provide a more accurate theoretical reconstruction of the Early Iron Age houses and their building process by examining the archaeological features and artefacts excavated at Dédestapolcsány-Verebce-bérc. This will be aided by the remains of charred beams and planks, as well as daub fragments bearing the impressions of structural elements.