- Chapter Thirty -
believed that the Hallstatt culture had continued until the arrival of the 'Celts'. An
alternative view of the Celts, held at the same time, was that they had appeared in the
east with a distinct cultural assemblage which they brought with them from
their 'Urheimat' and by means of which they could be identified. For this reason,
scholars used to speak of a 'La Tene-ized Hallstatt population' of Celts, and of the
continued co-existence of two separate cultures (Ziirn 1942, 1952; and papers in:
Hamburger Beitrdge zur Archdologie 1972). An important publication in the field of
Celtic study was that by Jan Filip (1956), later published in English as well (1976).
He also carried out the typological and chronological evaluation of the material at
his disposal at the time. This work provided the basis of all subsequent research for
a long time.
Recent research has concentrated on establishing detailed fine chronologies
of specific types of finds and of their particular characteristics, such as forms and
decoration of pottery (Dehn 1951, 1962/3, 1964, 1969; Schwappach 1973, 1975,
1979; Gosden 1984, 1987), and on working out horizons characterized by the
chronologically most sensitive types and assemblages of grave goods (Parzinger
1988 ).
An increasing number of excavations of settlements and cemeteries contemporary
with them have offered improved opportunities to classify the artefacts according
to chronological as well as functional principles. It became clear that there exists, in
the eastern province, a number of sites where there is evidence for continuous
occupation and where it is possible to distinguish the latest Hallstatt from the La
Tene A phase. With regard to this, the Diirrnberg grave groups are of particular
importance because here we can assume uninterrupted usage as well as witness the
continuity of culture change from the late Hallstatt period onwards (Penninger 1972;
Moosleitner et al. 1974; Pauli 1978, 1980). In addition, the key position of the site
in topographical terms makes it possible to trace the influence of diverse cultures
and to chart the widespread contacts of the local population. It is also of great impor-
tance that the assemblages of grave goods found at these cultural complexes, and
the chronological indicators derived from them, serve as a link between the western
and eastern territories. Results of intensive field surveys and settlement excavations
not only provide an insight into everyday life in a traditional sense. Depending on
the site's specific character, they also permit observations relevant to stratigraphy,
architectural techniques and relative chronology. Excavations at the so-called
'industrial quarters' or workshops as well as in the salt-mines are worthy of mention
here. The good preservation of artefacts (e.g. wooden vessels, various implements)
and palaeoecological studies carried out in such areas can reveal entirely new aspects
that enhance our previous observations (Fischer 1984; Maier 1974; Pauli 1974; Zeller
1984, 1989; Stollner 1991; 1995). Figure 30.1 illustrates one of the most impressive
products of local metalworking which has incorporated both stylistic and method-
ological elements (Moosleitner 1985, 1991; Megaw and Megaw 1989a).
Further to the east there is substantial evidence - mainly obtained from an increas-
ing number of recent excavations -of the emergence of the early La Tene culture.
In spite of local differences the overriding impression is of cultural similarity.