The Economy of Dürrnberg-Bei-Hallein: An Iron Age Salt-mining Centre in the Austrian Alps

For the first time in English, we present a summary of the international programme of excavation work carried out between 1990 and 2001 in and around the Iron Age salt-mining complex of the Diirrnberg region, south of Salzburg. First we describe the results of excavation in the prehistoric adits, and of work to locate and survey associated settlements. This is followed by a series of specialist reports embracing floral and faunal remains, palaeodiet and parasitology, leather and woodworking and other crafts. The evidence suggests that a complex inter-relationship existed between the Diirrnberg and other communities in the Alpine foreland. It is assumed that the Diirrnberg was under the control of an elite - perhaps a local dynasty whose wealth is reflected in the grave

A Decorated Iron Age Copper Alloy Knife from Hertfordshire

One of the objects on display in the ‘Celtic Iron Age’ gallery of the British Museum is so small that in fact it may not be immediately appreciated for what it is – a cast bronze knife with exquisite curvilinear decoration which measures a mere 11omm in length (figs Ia−b2a−c).To date only the briefest of descriptions of the knife have appeared in print accompanied by illustrations which, it must be said, hardly do it justice.2 Thus, some further notes may be added to draw further attention to one of the miniature insular masterpieces of what, despite the best efforts of many, is still widely termed ‘early Celtic art’.</jats:p