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Summary: Amber, a fossil tree resin, due to its specific physical properties has a genuine aura that has made it popular both as a gemstone and as a magical-religious amulet to this day. The supra-regional – 'global' in ancient terms – distribution of Baltic succinite is also reflected in the Eastern Alps. The central communication corridor along the Salzach and the Tauern transit in particular features a high density of amber objects during all epochs. The region therefore serves as a model case for investigating temporally variable aspects of the appropriation, use, symbolic significance and dissemination of amber. In addition to very rare Bronze Age objects and more frequent use in the Early Iron Age, the Dürrnberg near Hallein, along with the adjacent salt district at Hallstatt, is one of the main European centres of amber use during the Late Hallstatt and Early La Tène periods. Here, new quantitative and qualitative analyses provide evidence for changing patterns in the fashion of wearing, use and symbolic-magical meaning of amber jewellery. In the later La Tène period, there was a gradual decline in amber use both regionally and in other areas of Europe. This trend continued in the Roman Empire in the area of the municipium Claudium Iuvavum (Salzburg), before a final but short-lived revival of amber jewellery began in the Early Middle Ages. In a diachronic perspective, time-specific patterns in the use and integration of the strange raw material into the indigenous material culture and magic ideas become evident. Amber, however, does not only appear as a 'by-product' of purely economic communication along trans-regional trade and transport relations of the so-called 'Amber Roads'. Rather, qualitative and quantitative analyses show that amber was consciously chosen and rejected as a medium of social communication at different times and that specific meaning was variably attributed. In processes of intentional cultural appropriation, the exotic material thus reveals differentiated decision-making and agency of indigenous communities in Central European pre- and protohistory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small silver coin complementary to the Augentyp-Stamm Tauriscan obols was found in controlled archaeological excavations at the Lobor hillfort. The hillfort was fortified in the late La Tène period (Lt D), which is also the most likely depositional context of the coin, since the site was clearly not occupied during the early imperial age. It can be assumed that the coin was produced in the earlier part of late La Tène (Lt D1), in accordance with the presently accepted chronology of Tauriscan coins. Similar obols were found at comparable hillfort sites in the Tauriscan area, but, due to their small number and lack of secure stratigraphic contextualization, this phenomenon is not easily explained in terms of commercial exchange.

The article "Gold Objects and Gold Groups - Investigations and Analyses of the La Tène Period Gold Finger Ring from Nackenheim, Mainz-Bingen District" deals with the examination and chronological classification of a golden finger ring from Nackenheim. The ring is described as a simple and durable form that dates back to the Late La Tène period. Archaeometric analyses show that the ring has a high concentration of silver and copper and was made from a raw material that was already used in the Lt A stage in the northern Upper Rhine region. The text describes various sites where gold objects from the early La Tène period have been found near Nackenheim, including finds of golden finger rings, earrings, and a drinking horn. It also refers to stylistic parallels with other finds. The article also deals with various finds of jewelry from the Iron Age, especially rings and bracelets, and describes various find locations. It also describes various finds of golden arm rings with heart-shaped loop decoration from different archaeological graves and hoards. The text also describes various jewelry items made of gold and silver that have been discovered in various archaeological finds and discusses the different forms and datings of the jewelry. It also discusses archaeometric analyses that examine the chemical composition of the gold. The article deals with the changes in gold alloys and gold jewelry during the early La Tène period and emphasizes that golden jewelry continued to be worn by the elites, but in simpler forms and with less ornamentation. It also addresses the societal transformation processes and developments in early loop rings. The text includes a list of sources and publications on various topics related to the Iron Age and Celtic art, as well as a list of literature references to various archaeological finds and studies related to the Iron Age and Celtic culture. [Extracted from the article]

Bronze vessels constitute a particular class of domestic vessels that were made for long-term use, to be handed down through generations. This makes them chronologically less sensitive items, but also items that reflect both status and behavioural practices. The archaeological evidence from northern Italy suggests at least three main phases of use of bronze vessel between 388 BC and the Augustan period, which can be paralleled with the chronological division of the La Tène period. The contribution provides an interpretative overview of the evidence in an attempt to show the continuity, persistence and innovation in the production of individual forms and types of the bronze vessels. The area of Verona is an interesting case study for understanding the distribution of Hellenistic and Late Republican bronze vessels, because it has yielded at least 150 examples so far, dating from the 4th/3rd century BC to the Augustan period, that have mostly been recovered from funerary contexts. The contribution looks at the concentration of these items at some sites (Povegliano in particular) and their ties to a particular social rank. It also supplies a list of the bronze vessels from the area, mainly compiled during the reorganization of the collections in the Museo Archeologico di Verona conducted in the last two decades.

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The article reports on a conference on the economic history of the Latène period of the European Iron Age, held in Otzenhausen, Germany, from November 28-30, 2011. Topics discussed included theories of economy and society during this era, particularly that of Austrian economist Karl Polanyi, economic archaeology research, and the trade networks of traditional societies.

Copyright of Archeologické Rozhledy is the property of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Archaeology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses archaeological discoveries of ancient Celtic coins dating to the late La Tène period in several locations in Austria, including the town of Mallnitz, Austria, the Großglockner mountain, and at the site of an ancient Celtic settlement near Roseldorf, Austria. The author suggests that these coins indicate the existence of long-distance trade routes connecting Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region. He also offers some general remarks on Celtic numismatics and ancient currency counterfeiting.