German Archeologists Uncover Celtic Treasure

German Archeologists Uncover Celtic Treasure

Archeologists in Germany have discovered a 2,600-year-old Celtic tomb containing ornate jewellery of gold and amber. They say the grave is unusually well preserved and should provide important insights into early Celtic culture.

German archeologists have unearthed a 2,600-year-old Celtic tomb containing a treasure of jewellery made of gold, amber and bronze.

The subterranean chamber measuring four by five meters was uncovered near the prehistoric Heuneburg hill fort near the town of Herbertingen in south-western Germany. Its contents including the oak floor of the room are unusually well preserved. The find is a "milestone for the reconstruction of the social history of the Celts," archeologist Dirk Krausse, the director of the dig, said on Tuesday.

The intact oak should allow archeologists to ascertain the precise age of the tomb through tree-ring dating. This is rarely possible with Celtic finds because the Celts left behind no writings and their buildings, usually made from wood and clay, have long since crumbled away.

A Vital Trading Center

Krausse said the artefacts found suggest that a woman from the Heuneburg aristocracy was buried there, but added that laboratory tests will need to be conducted to be certain. Only a small part of the chamber has so far been examined.

The entire room weighing some 80 tons was lifted by two cranes onto a flatbed truck and taken to a research facility in Ludwigsburg on Tuesday. The results of the analysis will be presented in June 2011, researchers said.

Heuneburg is regarded as one of the most important Celtic settlements and was a vital trading center during the period between 620 and 480 BC. Intensive excavation has taken place at the site since 1950. Other tombs found at Heuneburg over the decades had already been plundered.

The tomb and the objects are to go on show in an exhibition in Stuttgart in 2012.

Wow! That is a fascinating find! Where does this story come from and where can I find out more about it?

I got this story from a German newspaper where I get all my articles from. http://www.spiegel.de/international/ is their website.

Here is another story about this:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301882

dblboggie wrote:Wow! That is a fascinating find! Where does this story come from and where can I find out more about it?

If you want the fill site report, an average wait for publication is usually about 3 years

Though I take exception to the use of the word "Celtic".

bubblebliss wrote:
The tomb and the objects are to go on show in an exhibition in Stuttgart in 2012.

Easyjet fly to Stuttgart? See you there...

You won't come to Minnesota and go with me to watch the Vikings play but you'll go to Stuttgart to look at archeology? I'm insulted now.

Of course, it would be a professional trip to Germany, not to mention a cheaper trip

Some pal you are.

The_Amber_Spyglass wrote:

bubblebliss wrote:
The tomb and the objects are to go on show in an exhibition in Stuttgart in 2012.

Easyjet fly to Stuttgart? See you there...

I study an hour away from Stuttgart, so yes, I will see you there!