Hallstatt: The Archaeologically Identifiable Celtic Culture

When an archaeologist speaks the name “Hallstatt,” multiple things should come to mind. First, the image of a vast archaeological site centered around a salt mine, located southeast of the Austrian city of Salzburg (Silberman 2012). Second, an enormous collection of over 2,000 grave sites filled with well preserved burial goods (Hallstatt 2016). Finally, the concept of an entire culture that, by 500 BC, had spread across most of Western Europe and southern Britain (Hallstatt 2005). Regarded as “the earliest archaeologically identifiable Celtic culture” (Hallstatt 2005), the artifacts and features from this period and at this site give archaeologists a glimpse into the past, into the lives of a people living and thriving during the late Bronze …show more content…
During this period, the graves are simple, flat burials beneath small mounds. The dead were often cremated before being interred (Hallstatt 2016). Phase B is often cited as a transitional period, where the Hallstatt culture began to separate itself from neighboring influences. Flat burials gave way to tumulus, or barrow, style graves, though cremation remained popular. Fine tuned pottery making practices produced well made vessels that hint at the easily recognizable Hallstatt style to come (Hallstatt 2016). In phase C, iron appears, and with it an influx of burial goods such as weapons, tools, and jewelry (Hallstatt 2016). A distinctive style of pottery, recognizable by its vegetal decorations and patterns, also emerges during this phase (Hallstatt 2005). Considered the height of the Hallstatt culture, Phases C and D display evidence of an aristocratic society profiting from its extensive trade networks stretching across Europe (Hallstatt 2005). The extraordinarily preservative nature of the saline saturated ground led archaeologists to discover the burials of chieftains who ruled from hill-forts and were often interred with vast collections of grave goods. Among these burials, archaeologists have found “offerings of jewelry, wine jugs, furniture, weapons, and wagons” (Hallstatt 2005). Interestingly enough, …show more content…
Jewelry made of amber and other materials not local to the area are found in burials, once again suggesting a vast system of trade. Ceremonial daggers, with a distinctive “antennae hilt” are commonly made of iron (Hallstatt 2016). The art style is distinctively intricate; its patterns are often repeated pairs of figures in a style that echoes ancient Greek art, once again hinting at extensive trade across the continent (Hallstatt 2016). This symmetric style is often seen in later Celtic art, further connecting the Hallstatt culture to that of modern Celts (Celts 2016). Extraordinary preservation has led to the discovery of a vast array of organic material remains, ranging from clothing to wooden tools (Silberman 2012). Incredibly, the near fully intact and completely dressed skeleton of a prehistoric miner was discovered in 1734. The body was eventually reburied in a local cemetery (Silberman 2012). Though the main Hallstatt site, and the one originally discovered, is located in Austria, the Hallstatt culture stretches across much of Europe (Hallstatt 2005). A reason for the seemingly Austrian-focus of the Hallstatt culture harkens back to the significance of the salt mine, which would have been an important economic epicenter of the time (Celtic Hallstatt Culture 2010). Despite its long history of excavation, the site was not declared a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization