The La Tène Culture was a Celtic civilization which thrived in Western Europe between the 5th and the 1st century BC. The tribes that belonged to this culture inhabited the territory of modern France, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, northern Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and the British Isles. The culture is named after the site of La Tène in Switzerland. The La Tène culture is the stage of the Iron Age which followed the Hallstatt culture. The finds of iron plowshares, sickles, and scythes are testimonies to improvements in farming techniques and war weapons, such as spearheads and swords. During this time, bronze implements are no longer encountered, as blacksmithing, jewelry-making, and other crafts began developing. The potter’s wheel appeared during this period. The oppida, fortified tribal centers or sanctuaries located on hilltops, also appeared during this time.
Phases of development
According to French Archaeologist, Joseph Déchelette, the La Tène Culture is divided into three stages. The first stage (500–300 B.C.) is characterized by short pointed swords without crossbars and with iron sheaths; a variety of torques made of metal; fibulae with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic decorations; modeled pottery, although some was made on the potter’s wheel and decorated with stamped designs; and flat-grave burials. The second stage (300–100 B.C.) is characterized by long swords with rounded tips and curved crossbars, wooden shields with elliptical iron bosses, and glass bracelets. The first local coins appeared during this period. The third stage (first century B.C. to the first century A.D.) is characterized by very long swords, with pointed tips, and without crossbars; daggers with anthropomorphic hilts; iron spurs, locks, and keys; and bronze seals. In addition to the principal region of the culture’s dissemination, numerous treasures, burial grounds, and remains of settlements were discovered.
Art
The art of the La Tène civilization, for the most part ornamental and stylized, developed under the influence of the Etruscan and late Roman cultures. In the early stage, masks wreathed with the likeness of a two-leafed crown and the palmette and lotus ornamental motifs appeared. The ornaments of the mature La Tène style (fourth century B.C.) are characterized by the combined use of relief, engraving, and incrustation with coral and enamel on precious metals. Stylized representations of birds and animals appeared on the metal articles of the middle of the fourth century B.C.
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| Two iron swords of La Tene Culture found in France. |