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164
Silviu OŢA, Liana OŢA
Moreover, the fortress extended towards west and south-west, close to the edge of
the abyss (Pl. 12.3, Pl. 13.1-2, Pl. 14.1-2), and only a narrow way of access, more like
a path, was left. Towards south, the new enclosure wall was built perpendicular on the
end of the enclosure no. 2. Consequently, between the two walls, a zwinger was
made. The entrance inside the fortress was made through a door on the south-western
side of the enclosure no. 3. Behind the door, the ground was sloped up until the
enclosure no. 2. A slope made by the native rock was observed towards north-west,
but we cannot say whether the stairs of access were made of stone or wood.
Inside the fortress, were kept functional the opening for lancing the sling balls and
the trap at the base of the second tower. The parament of the inner wall was
demolished up until the base of the wall, towards east. Afterwards, it was re-built with
another angle, consequently, the entrance situated at the base of the tower became so
narrow, that the access inside cannot be made without the permission of those who
were inside the tower. The trap became very visible (Pl. 6.3). On the other side, if fire
weapons were used from the outside, both from south or east, the cannon balls met a
wall for their ricochet. The cannon could not be used for an attack from south-east,
because there was a wall made by the sloped native rock.
The first tower was probably dismantled, and then re-built, because its side
towards the defense ditch was no longer on based on the former, but the new
enclosure wall. The ancient enclosure wall was destroyed up until the level they
stepped on inside the fortress, and the new enclosure doubled the older one. On the
inside, the new enclosure wall is thickened and rounded.
Another characteristic feature of Caraşova fortress is the absence of the stone
blocks made especially for the corners of the fortress. The stone frames for windows
or doors are missing, too, but the use of bricks cannot be excluded, since a few
fragments were found inside the fortress and in the first defense ditch.
The weaponry found here is modest as number. A part of the weapons comes from
private collections, but it was found in the fortress. Most of the weapons are
arrowheads (Pl. 15.5-6) or crossbow bolts (Pl. 15.2-4), but their presence could be
explained by the fact they were used either by those who attacked the fortress, or by
those who defended it. A fragment of a blade of a big knife (Pl. 16.2) and a fixing
tube, probably from a spear (Pl. 15.8), were also found.
The fire weapons were used, too, and the proofs are a fragment of smelt lead (Pl.
15.1) and a stone ball (Pl. 15.7). They were found near the enclosure walls or towers,
even inside the towers. Fragments of whetstones indicate a frequent use of side arms.
The only item well preserved is a spearhead made of steel, dated in the 16 th century
(Pl. 16.1). It has central rib, and two perforated rods for fixing the handle.