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The Iron Age in Austria is marked by the Hallstatt and La Tène cultures, which laid the foundation for later Celtic societies in the region.
The Hallstatt culture (1200–450 BCE) evolved from the earlier Urnfield culture and is named after the type site of Hallstatt in Upper Austria, where extensive burials and salt mining operations flourished. This culture is divided into four phases: Hallstatt A and B (Late Bronze Age) and Hallstatt C and D (Early Iron Age). By the 6th century BCE, it expanded across much of Central Europe, including Austria, southern Germany, and parts of northern Italy.
The Hallstatt economy was based on agriculture, metalworking, and long-range trade with Mediterranean cultures, evident from luxury imports such as Greek pottery and Etruscan goods. Salt, mined at Hallstatt, was a critical resource, creating wealth for the region. Hilltop settlements like Burgstallkogel served as centers of trade and governance, with burial sites containing elaborate grave goods, including chariots and weapons, indicating the emergence of a warrior elite. However, by the 5th century BCE, many key Hallstatt centers were abandoned, likely due to social upheaval.
Hallstatt (800 BCE: solid yellow; 500 BCE: light yellow) and La Tène (450 BCE: solid green; 50 BCE light green). © Dbachmann
The La Tène culture (450 BCE–c. 15 BCE) followed the Hallstatt period and spread widely across Central Europe, introducing what is now recognized as Celtic culture. In Austria, this culture fostered fortified hilltop settlements and iron production, especially in Styria and Burgenland, where Noric iron became a highly valued export to the Romans. The Taurisci and other Celtic tribes dominated the region, forming the Noricum confederation, which played a significant role in regional trade and diplomacy.
By the 1st century BCE, Noricum’s strategic importance attracted Roman interest, leading to the establishment of trading posts like Magdalensberg, which later evolved into Roman towns such as Virunum. This period of Celtic dominance ended when Rome annexed Noricum, integrating it into the Roman Empire around 15 BCE.