Iron Age Canton of Bern

helveto-roman settlement bern-engehalbinsel

during iron age changes in climate forced hallstatt culture (800–450 bce) abandon settlements along many waterways , in valley floors , move plateaus , hills. increased trade contacts across alps, cultural influence of mediterranean region grew in area. evidence of trade include hydria discovered in grächwil. burial rituals , social classes became more developed during time. so-called princely graves became more common, many of burial mounds on 30 m (98 ft) in diameter , 4 m (13 ft) high , richly outfitted grave goods. in grave mound in bützberg first burial in mound followed several later burials. often, several grave mounds combined become necropolis, such @ grossaffoltern, ins, bannwil, langenthal , bützberg. of knowledge hallstatt culture in canton comes graves. discovered settlement around blanche church in la neuveville.

the grave goods show iron forged swords, daggers, spearheads, knives , wagon accessories. gold, collected river sand, made diadems, rings , pendants. thin bronze arm, leg , neck plates geometric designs buried, in graves @ allenlüften in mühleberg, @ ins , @ bützberg. jewelry buried included bracelets , rings made of jet , lignite coal. @ münchringen, grave pottery both shaped hand or thrown on potter s wheel, , painted multi-colored ornamentation.

the transition late iron age of la tène culture (450−1st century bce) indicated sudden change of style in metalworking , ceramic industries. numerous graves (from unknown settlements), along 2 oppida @ bern-engehalbinsel , jensberg studen, mark population centers during late iron age. gold coins (from melchnau) along silver , bronze coins first start appear during era. sword greek characters said korisios found @ port site. @ oppidum @ bern-engehalbinsel, there studios glass , ceramic production, , iron working achieved high level of skill, along craftsmen worked in wood, leather , goldsmithing. there nearby place of worship in bremgarten wood, , cemeteries @ münsingen , bern-engehalbinsel.