The Celts in Baden-Württemberg

Some of the most outstanding archaeological monuments of prehistory and early history in southwest Germany date from the Celtic period (late 7th to 1st century BC). Herodotus already located the Celts on the upper reaches of the Danube in the 5th century BC. Thus, present-day Baden-Württemberg can be considered a core area of ​​ancient Celtic settlement.

The early Celtic period from the 6th to 4th centuries BC was characterized by particularly complex social and economic structures. This is evidenced primarily by extraordinarily richly furnished graves, such as the famous "Princely Grave" of Eberdingen-Hochdorf, and the first urban settlements, such as the Heuneburg on the upper Danube.

In addition to the early Celtic centuries, the exhibition also examines the subsequent upheavals and the onset of migrations, as well as the subsequent Late Celtic period (late 3rd century to the second half of the 2st century BC). The late phase of Celtic settlement was characterized by fortified estates and large, fortified settlements – so-called Viereckschanzen (four-cornered fortifications) and oppida. Remains of the mighty oppida fortifications still dominate the landscape today, for example, at the Heidengraben in the Swabian Alb.

The exhibition not only provides an overview of the history of the Celts in southwest Germany, but also illuminates numerous facets of this fascinating era, such as religion, art, economy, and trade. The focus is on current excavations and research by the State Office for Monument Preservation.

The State Office for Monument Preservation (LAD) has been dedicated to the protection, preservation, and research of archaeological remains, including those of the Celts, in Baden-Württemberg for decades. Some of the outstanding monuments of prehistory and early history date from the pre-Roman Iron Age (Hallstatt and La Tène periods), which also includes the time of the ancient Celts.

A conference on the topic "The Celts in Baden-Württemberg" took place on November 11, 2019, at the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart. A specially designed traveling exhibition on the most important aspects of Celtic culture in Baden-Württemberg was presented for the first time at the same time. Following its presentation at the LAD in Esslingen at the end of 2019, the traveling exhibition was on display at the Stuttgart Regional Council in Vaihingen at the beginning of this year and in Nagold this summer. It now travels to the castle in Neuenbürg. In addition to general topics related to the Celts, special attention will be paid to the LAD's current research on the pre-Roman Iron Age.