In order to confirm and narrow down the relative chronology of the Late
Iron Age in the Carpathian Basin, eleven samples from three Celtic cemeteries in
Transylvania (Archiud-Hânsuri, Fântânele-Dealul Iuşului / La Gâţa and FântâneleDâmbul Popii) were submitted to radiocarbon dating using the AMS method. Based
on the measurement of samples from human and animal bones and on additional 14C
results from the Carpathian Basin, one could observe that the date ranges, often divided into numerous smaller or larger phases, cover a much wider period than the four
Transylvanian Celtic horizons defined based on the typological changes of artefacts
linked to historical events or socio-historical phenomena (La Tène B1/B2-C1 phases,
350/335-190/175 BC). The explanation of this circumstance raises further questions of
physical and archaeological methodology, interpretation and research
