La Tène Lakeside Settlement
Iron Age (450–50 BCE)·La Tène culture — Celtic Iron Age·🇨🇭 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
About
About La Tène Lakeside Settlement
Type site of the La Tène Celtic Iron Age culture, discovered 1857 on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Timber structures, a bridge and a dense votive deposit of iron swords, spearheads, shields and fibulae (c.250–50 BCE) were recovered from lake marl; systematic excavations revealed a ritualized lakeside centre whose name defines the European Iron Age. Now partly submerged, finds are in the Laténium museum.
Why it mattersKey La Tène culture — Celtic Iron Age site in Neuchâtel.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Defensive vs domestic function of enclosures
- 02Role in regional exchange networks
Theories
- 01Elite residence controlling surrounding farmland
- 02Community refuge in times of conflict
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 450 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age (450–50 BCE)
- Culture
- La Tène culture — Celtic Iron Age
- Purpose
- Type site of La Tène culture; lake votive deposit
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 450 BCE
Initial construction and primary use
20th century
Modern archaeological investigation and conservation
On the ground
Structures & features
47.0050° N · 7.0220° E · 430 m · 2 mapped features
La Tène Lakeside Settlement Main Chamber
structurePrincipal ancient-village feature at La Tène Lakeside Settlement, well-preserved structure with diagnostic finds
47.0055° N · 7.0225° ELa Tène Lakeside Settlement Secondary Feature
structureSecondary ancient-village element illustrating site complexity and reuse
47.0046° N · 7.0228° E