The Hallstatt culture was the dominant culture of early Iron Age Central Europe, named after a site in the Austrian Alps where salt mining and a large cemetery were uncovered in the nineteenth century. Its richest graves contain bronze and iron weapons, wagons and imported goods, which show a society led by powerful chieftains. Fortified centres such as the Heuneburg in southern Germany traded with the Greek and Etruscan worlds, importing wine and fine pottery. Its people are often linked to the early Celts, although archaeologists debate how closely culture and language correspond. The Hallstatt culture was eventually succeeded by the La Tene culture, with its own distinctive art style.
Before and after
- 13th century BCEAncient Celts
- c. 1,201 BCEThe Olmec civilisation emerges at San Lorenzo
- from c. 1,200 BCE to 1,150 BCEBronze Age collapse
- c. 1,200 BCEIron Age
- from c. 1,200 BCE to 450 BCEHallstatt culture
- from c. 1,200 BCE to 800 BCEUrnfield culture
- from c. 1,200 BCE to 150 BCEPhoenician script
- from c. 1,200 BCE to 546 BCELydia
- from c. 1,189 BCE to 1,077 BCETwentieth Dynasty of Egypt
More in Evolution & life
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- from 31st century BCE to 20th century BCECorded Ware culture
- from c. 2,300 BCE to 1,000 BCEAndronovo culture
- from c. 1,300s BCE to 500s BCEChavín culture
- 11th century BCEThe Bantu expansion begins
- from 1st century to 7th centuryNazca culture
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 12th century BCE.