Celtic Eras ( Hallstatt , La Tene )

Hallstatt

Timespan: 1200 BC - 475 BC

"Hallstatt culture is characterised in 4 stages, according to James(2005: 21): A & B late Bronze Age, from c 1200 to 700 BC; C Early Iron Age, from c700-600 BC; D from c 600 to 475 BC"

This culture lived throughout central Europe its center being an area around Hallstatt in Central Austria. During the beginning of the period trade had already been established . They had access to tin and copper (the base materials of copper) also had access to salt which was used to preserve food. These helped the culture to grow and prosper from the beginning. In 800 BC during burial excavations wheeled wagons and iron swords were found.

Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th century watercolours. Page with names of the persons present at the discovery of the site.

In 700-600 BC fortified settlements were founded in the north of the Alps. Burial mounds were found in these settlements containing expensive items at the time such as vehicles and imported treasures.

During the last period Hallstatt burial grounds were closer on more major hill forts in the southwest region . this implies that there was that wealth and social power was focused on this area.

Hallstatt Findings

Celtic German Craftsmanship

Hallstatt amber necklace

Golden neck ring from Uttendorf, Hallstatt culture, ca. 550 BC.

Bronze Tool

Hallstatt Designs

Gives of the primitive feeling as it cotains a great deal of geometric design. Built on maze like design and repeated patterns

Sources:

Aon Celtic Art. 2013. Aon Celtic Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.aon-celtic.com/trade_history_meanings.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

File:Linz Schlossmuseum - Uttendorf Halsreifen.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. File:Linz Schlossmuseum - Uttendorf Halsreifen.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linz_Schlossmuseum_-_Uttendorf_Halsreifen.jpg. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Lessing Photo Archive - Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th . 2013.Lessing Photo Archive - Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lessing-photo.com/dispimg.asp?i=070101+3+&cr=79&cl=1. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

How old is English?. 2013. How old is English?. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.proto-english.org/l41.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

The Iron Age in Europe. 2013. The Iron Age in Europe. [ONLINE] Available at: http://archaeology.about.com/b/2011/03/20/the-iron-age-in-europe.htm. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Tours: The World of Ancient Art. 2013. Tours: The World of Ancient Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/tours/europe3.asp. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. 2013. Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. [ONLINE] Available at: http://celts.etrusia.co.uk/celtic_cultures.php. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

La Tene

Timespan: C 500 BC To C 15 BC

During this period the Celts started to venture out of their borders, expanding and migrating. Named after the location in which they were first discovered being a site in  Switzerland. 

"France to Bohemia, the La Tene culture spread rapidly from about 400 BC. The La Tene Celts settled in Spain in 450 BC, in Northern Italy in 400 BC, invaded Rome in 390 BC, invaded Greece in 279 BC, invaded Galatia (in modern Turkey) in 270 BC. By 200 BC, they occupied the lands that are now Britain, the Netherlands, Brittany, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland."

This period was more focused on military might rather than cultural expansion. Weapons and armor were as commonly found as the jeweler and other everyday items.

La Tene Findings

Strettweg Cart

A 1st century BCE mirror found in Desborough , Northants, showing the spiral and trumpet theme.

Witham Shield

Turoe Stone

La Tene Design

 A Grate amount of spirals and leaf shaped design implemented in the work. Extreamly organic and animals and faces could appear depending on the view point.

Sources: 

Aon Celtic Art. 2013. Aon Celtic Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.aon-celtic.com/trade_history_meanings.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. 2013. Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. [ONLINE] Available at: http://celts.etrusia.co.uk/celtic_cultures.php. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Tours: The World of Ancient Art. 2013. Tours: The World of Ancient Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/tours/europe3.asp. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

La Tène culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. La Tène culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_T%C3%A8ne_culture. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

“Strettweg Cart” (7th century BCE), found in... - Fuck Yeah Vikings & Celts!. 2013. “Strettweg Cart” (7th century BCE), found in... - Fuck Yeah Vikings & Celts!. [ONLINE] Available at:http://fuckyeahvikingsandcelts.tumblr.com/post/14657877699/strettweg-cart-7th-century-bce-found-in. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Battlefield chic: the Witham Shield | Art and design | guardian.co.uk . 2013.Battlefield chic: the Witham Shield | Art and design | guardian.co.uk . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/picture/2012/jul/19/witham-shield-story-of-british-art. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Turoe Stone, Co. Galway, Ireland. 2013. Turoe Stone, Co. Galway, Ireland. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/turoe/. [Accessed 18 May 2013].