The celebrated lacustrine station, La Tène, is situated at the north
end of Lake Neuchâtel, just close to the present artificially formed
outlet where the land end of its mole or dyke begins. Stretching
from this point eastwards there is a gravelly elevation, some 200
yards long by 50 wide, which, before the "Correction des Eaux du
Jura," formed a shallow part of the lake, and for this reason it was
called among the fishermen La Tène (the shallows). As early as 1858,
Col. Schwab discovered this to be the site of a rich repository of
antiquities of a totally different character from those found in any
of the hitherto explored Pfahlbauten. Subsequently Professor Desor
directed his attention to the locality and made a collection of its
antiquities, among which he announced some Gallic coins (=Fig. 92=,
No. 8) and a sword-sheath ornamented with the forms of three fantastic
animals (=Fig. 87=, No. 9). Further discoveries of its remarkable
antiquities were made by M. Dardel-Thorens, who for many years, while
resident superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum of Préfargier, situated
close by, devoted his spare time to the investigation of La Tène. As
the relics were associated with numerous piles there appeared to be
no doubt among these antiquaries that the station was quite analogous
to the ordinary pile-dwellings of the Stone and Bronze Ages, the only
difference being that it represented a later age.
Notwithstanding the facilities for investigation afforded by the
lowering of the waters of the lake in 1876, which had the effect of
making La Tène dry land, nothing further was done till 1880, when M.
E. Vouga, schoolmaster at Marin, interested himself in the matter. One
reason for this neglect was the opinion that the whole area had been
already so thoroughly examined by previous explorers, that nothing
remained to be done. Before, however, describing the discoveries of M.
Vouga, it will be necessary to look more minutely at the situation of
La Tène and the nature of the substratum in which its antiquities were
found.
In making a section through the La Tène elevation there is first
encountered a bed of water-worn gravel and sand, varying in thickness
from three or four feet to as many yards. This gravel had evidently
been thrown up by the action of the waves, and in it there are no
antiquities found, with the exception of occasional fragments of
Roman pottery and tiles. Beneath this superficial gravel there lies
a blackish bed of peat of considerable thickness, below which is the
ancient lake sediment. It is on the surface of this intermediate mossy
bed, and sometimes buried in it, that the objects characteristic of
La Tène are found. From these stratigraphical glimpses of Natures
workings it would appear that during prehistoric times the whole
low-lying district from Préfargier to the lake of Bienne was a
shallow bay, which became ultimately overgrown with marsh plants and
peat to the extent of forming the "Gross Moos." Scattered throughout
the deposits of this quiet bay, and especially along the waterway
to Bienne, are frequently found antiquities belonging to all the
three ages of prehistoric times previous to the occupation of the
locality by the Romans, remains of whom are, of course, also met
with. Professor Desor, and others who have carefully examined the
locality from a geological point of view, account for the subsequent
overspreading of La Tène as the combined result of two natural
causes, viz. first, the elevation of the level of the lake owing to
sedimentary deposits or accidental obstruction in the channels through
which the surplus water found its escape; and, second, the gradual
removal, by the action of the waves, of a protective barrier in the
shape of a projecting moraine of sand and gravel, which stretched
outwards from Préfargier in the direction of La Sauge, and sheltered
La Tène for many ages from the action of the open lake. But whatever
the explanation may be, it is certain that a considerable change has
taken place since these sedimentary deposits of fine silt were formed,
as at the present time the amount of gravel thrown up on the shore
of La Tène is so great as to advance the beach at the annual rate of
two or three yards; and this occurs notwithstanding that the level of
the water, owing to the operations necessitated by the "Correction
des Eaux du Jura," is even lower than it was when the neighbouring
lake-dwellings of the Stone and Bronze Ages flourished.
RECENT EXPLORATIONS.--While M. Vouga was one day making excavations
near a group of piles, which he considered to have been supports
for a bridge, he came upon the foundations of a wooden house, and
in the course of clearing it out he made the important discovery
that it had been situated on the brink of a deep channel, which had
subsequently become filled up with sand and gravel. The most natural
explanation was that this channel was an ancient river-bed which,
when the house was constructed, formed the outlet of the lake. With
this idea paramount in his mind, Vouga determined to trace out its
direction and bearings. About 20 yards farther up--_i.e._ in the
direction of the lake--he came upon the remains of a second wooden
house, with its foundation beams still _in situ_, and two of its
containing walls (which had evidently fallen over) lying one over
the other. Here the bank of the channel formed a steep descent of 10
feet deep. The floor of this structure was formed of two square-cut
beams, each over 16 feet in length and 8 inches in thickness, having
a series of closely-set mortised holes for transverse beams. Its
breadth was 9 feet 2 inches, and it lay 2½ feet below the surface,
and about 7 feet higher than the bottom of the river. The two sides of
the building were formed of three beams corresponding in length with
that of the flooring, and about 2½ feet apart, and having transverse
mountings and a trellis-work of branches. One of these had apparently
fallen into the river, as its end reached nearly to the bottom of
the channel. Pursuing his investigations still in the direction of
the lake, he came upon the remains of a third building, near which
were the piles of a second bridge. The space between the two bridges
was about 100 yards, and, judging from the position of the piles,
this bridge was directed to the same point as the former--probably
La Sauge, at the opposite corner of the lake. These bridges were
supported on a succession of parallel rows of oak piles 4 to 6 inches
in diameter, and placed at intervals of 3 to 20 yards; and each row
contained five or six piles, from half a foot to 3 feet apart. About
50 yards above the second bridge a fourth dwelling was encountered,
but it appeared to have been already pillaged of its contents. Near
this our explorer proceeded to clear a portion of the bed of the
river, and lying in the mud and gravel at a depth of 10 feet from the
original surface he found a large quantity of antiquities--swords,
lances, axes, chains, razors, various wooden implements, fragments
of a large vase, the entire wheel and other parts of a chariot,
together with the bones of men, horses, and oxen. A fifth building was
subsequently discovered between the third and fourth, so that we have
here the evidence of a row of five houses situated along the right
bank of the ancient river, and all within a distance of 200 yards.
On the left bank of this supposed river only one habitation, opposite
No. 1, was discovered, which M. Vouga thought had already been
pillaged. It was reported that near this spot several human skeletons
had been discovered, one of which had a rope round the neck! Below
this the channel becomes deeply buried, and the superficial gravel
attains the depth of some ten feet; but, nevertheless, Vouga succeeded
in making excavations which decided the chronological sequence of
the Roman and Gallic remains. "It was," says he, "in the midst of
these gravels that I found the layer containing Roman remains--tiles
and fragments of pottery, nails, etc.--at a height of two and a half
to three feet above the Gallic objects." (B. 428, p. 13.) These
Gallic objects consisted of the well-known fibulæ and other articles
characteristic of La Tène, so that superposition clearly indicates the
Roman occupation to be posterior to that of its original constructors.
M. Vouga believes that the channel, along the banks of which he found
the remains of so many houses, was the right branch of two outlets
which at that time existed, and which united lower down to form
the Thielle. The left branch was nearer the rising ground towards
Epagnier, but it is now covered over with gravel, and has never yet
been examined. Some 300 or 400 yards lower down there are some gravel
pits, which are occasionally worked for road metal, in which I saw in
the summer of 1886 a great many piles, singly and in groups, cropping
up through a black peaty deposit underneath the gravel. I mentioned
the matter to M. Vouga, and he informed me that the few things found
there indicate a Gallo-Roman period.
According to M. Vouga, the site of La Tène station extended from
the south bank of the outlet to the small island formed by its two
branches before they became united. The upper part of this island, now
denuded of its peaty deposits by the action of the waves, forms part
of the lake. This denuding process is still going on at the margin
of the lake all the way from La Tène to Préfargier. Large masses of
the ancient sedimentary deposits, containing piles and relics of the
lake-dwellers, become undermined and broken up by the waves, leaving
their more solid relics, such as stone hatchets, mixed with the
gravel. These are often thrown up on the beach, and in this way many
beautiful jade hatchets have been picked up from the sites of the four
lake-dwellings now almost entirely disintegrated, which existed along
the north shore from La Tène to Préfargier. It is in the gravel at the
upper end of La Tène that most of the coins have been collected.
The success attending Vouga's excavations induced M. Borel, on behalf
of the Museum of Neuchâtel, to make further excavations along the
banks and bed of the ancient river discovered by the former, but
without much success. Finally, in 1884, the Cantonal Government having
granted to the Historical Society the exclusive right of conducting
explorations at La Tène, this society undertook fresh excavations
under the management of Messrs. Vouga and W. Wavre. During these
researches portions of a gold torque and some gold coins were the
principal finds. These coins are valuable inasmuch as they were found
_in situ_, and not, as most of the others, among the shifting gravel.
From Keller's description (B. 126) of the earlier discoveries on La
Tène it appears that Col. Schwab, on removing some large mortised
beams, found many weapons and other antiquities all huddled together.
In the light of Vouga's researches it is probable that this spot was
a dwelling similar to those I have already described, as we are told
that there were three beams of fir wood, from 15 to 20 feet long,
lying parallel to each other and a few feet apart. These beams rested
on upright piles, and contained a series of triangular holes as if
for the tenons of wooden superstructures.
RELICS.--Like the fate of most lacustrine remains, those from La
Tène have been widely scattered. Many are deposited in the Cantonal
Museums of Bienne, Neuchâtel, and Berne. The Gross collection, being
now public property, finds also a temporary lodgment in a room in
the Federal Hall in the latter town. A few, including some of the
most interesting relics, have been secured for the Museum of Geneva.
The largest of the private collections are those of Messrs. Vouga,
of Marin, and Dardel-Thorens, of St. Blaise. With the exception of
the articles in the possession of the latter gentleman (which are,
however, copiously illustrated in _Antiqua_ and the works of Vouga
and Gross), I have studied more than once all these collections. As
the principal objects have already been more or less described and
illustrated in the excellent works of Keller, Desor, Gross, and Vouga,
I wish here to acknowledge that in the production of the accompanying
illustrations I have made free use of all these publications, either
to rectify my own sketches, or (and this more especially) to give me
the correct size of the objects--a point which is rather troublesome
to attain through a glass case when, as it often happens as regards
the smaller museums, authoritative officials may not be at hand to
give access to the cases.
Owing to the peaty nature of the matrix in which the relics from
La Tène were embedded they are in a remarkably good state of
preservation. They consist chiefly of iron implements and weapons,
presenting a striking difference not only in material but also
in form and style of manufacture from any found in the ordinary
lake-dwellings. Articles of bronze are sparingly met with, and they
are, with one or two exceptions, very dissimilar to those from the
true palafittes of the Bronze Age. In giving a short description of
these relics it will be convenient to group them under the following
heads:--(1) Arms; (2) Implements and Utensils; (3) Articles of
Ornament and Dress; (4) Horse-Trappings and Waggons; (5) Money, and
Objects of Amusement, etc.; (6) Osseous Remains.
[Illustration: =Fig. 87.=--LA TÈNE. Nos. 9 to 12, and 15 = ½, and
the rest = ¼ real size.]
1. ARMS.--_Swords_ (=Fig. 87=).--The swords from La Tène, which now
number considerably over 100, are all made after one characteristic
type. They vary in total length from 30 to 38 inches (or even
more), of which the handles occupy 4 to 6½ inches. The blade is
always double-edged, generally without a defined median ridge, and
scarcely tapers in its whole length till within a few inches of the
extremity, when it gradually forms a round blunt tip. It is devoid of
ornamentation, except in one or two instances where parallel grooves
run along the median line, or the surface becomes thickly dotted
with small impressions. Others again have small incised figures
upon them (No. 15), but these are supposed to be makers' marks--an
interpretation which seems to be corroborated from the fact that those
bearing such marks are of a superior quality. The handle is separated
from the blade by a prominent curved ridge attached to the hilt of the
blade, into the concave side of which the end of the scabbard neatly
fits. Although all the swords hitherto found at La Tène have this
dividing ridge in the form of a graceful curve such as is represented
in the illustrations, I may remark that some of the same type from
other stations are straight. What now remains of the handle is merely
the central tang, over which there was a grip of horn or wood. On this
tang were sometimes small transverse plaques for fastening the handle
(No. 8); and Vouga figures one with two small circles from a grave of
the Iron Age at Bevaix, which I here reproduce (No. 7) on account of
its striking similarity to the sword-handles from Lisnacroghera. (See
=Fig. 124=, Nos. 1 and 2.)
The sheaths are formed of two plates of iron (rarely bronze), one
of which overlaps the other at the margins, where they are riveted
together. Sometimes these plates are strengthened by one or more cross
ridges, and about the lower third a raised bead begins which runs
round the tip. These attachments often assume an ornamental character
(Nos. 3, 4, and 5). The upper surface of the sheath is also generally
ornamented with a variety of curious designs, in which spiral and
recurring scroll patterns play a conspicuous part (Nos. 3, 10, and
11). But perhaps the most remarkable design is that of three fantastic
animals (No. 9), which, from their resemblance to the figures on
Gallic coins, first led Desor to the conclusion that the weapons had a
similar origin. Only three sheaths are known to have been ornamented
along their entire length--viz. Nos. 1, 2, and 12. That on No. 12 was
repeated three times at regular intervals. The underside of the sheath
has always a suspension clasp, which assumes various elegant shapes
(Nos. 4, 13, and 14). In one instance the upper sheath-plate was of
bronze, and another had both plates of iron, but the surrounding bead
was of bronze. No. 6 represents a piece of iron (being one of about a
dozen similar pieces found at La Tène), which is supposed to be the
rudimentary stage of the sword-blade.
[Illustration: =Fig. 88.=--LA TÈNE. Nos. 7, 10, 13, and 14 = ⅓, and
the rest = ¼ real size.]
_Lance and Javelin Heads_ (=Fig. 88=).--These weapons are extremely
varied in shape and size, as may be seen from a glance at the
illustrations. They all have sockets, and the smallness of the
bore at once distinguishes them from Roman weapons of the same
class. Sometimes the socket is short, while the blade is large and
leaf-shaped, and at other times it runs nearly the whole length of
the latter. Two nail holes, and sometimes small prominences, are seen
at the lower end of the socket, by which the wooden handle was more
firmly fastened. In a few instances (No. 12) there is no median ridge,
but generally this is a prominent feature extending the whole length
of the blade, and sometimes it assumes a triangular form, like that in
our modern bayonet (Nos. 3, 4, etc.). Another peculiarity of some of
these weapons is the cutting away of segments and semilunar portions,
either at the edges (Nos. 1, 3, and 17) or in the body of the blade
(Nos. 1 and 2). One fine weapon has an oval blade with a crenated or
wavy edge (No. 5).
The butt end of the wooden handle was protected by an iron knob (Nos.
7, 10, 13, and 14), either simply conical or multilateral, above which
there was a neat ferule (No. 13).
_Arrow-heads._--It is only in the later excavations that a few
arrow-points have come to light. Like the spear-heads, they are all
socketed (Nos. 15 and 16).
_Shields, etc._ (=Fig. 89=).--Several objects have been found at La
Tène which must be considered as shield-mountings. The umbo was of
thin iron, arched in the centre, and attached to the shield by large
studs or sometimes small nails (No. 1). The handle was made of a
curved iron rod riveted to two rectangular plates of iron attached
to the shield (No. 2). Some large handsome plaques of bronze, of a
flamboyant character, are supposed to have been ornaments on the face
of the shield (Nos. 3 and 4), of which about half a dozen altogether
have been found. Besides these there are several discs and other
objects of bronze (Nos. 5, 8, 9 to 11, and 21), many of which were
probably ornaments for horse-harness, and there are some which Dr.
Gross conjectures to have been ornaments for helmets. (B. 446, p.
28.) The curious object of thin bronze represented by No. 20 is also
supposed to be an ornament for a helmet.
2. IMPLEMENTS AND UTENSILS.--_Hatchets_ (=Fig. 90=).--Though
comparatively rare, the hatchets are of various kinds (only about
twenty have been hitherto found). One form (Nos. 1, 2, and 7) reminds
one of the winged celt of the Bronze Age. The former, however, has
only two wings, instead of four as in the latter, and its cutting edge
is more expanded. Others are like our modern axes and adzes (Nos. 4,
5, and 6). One of this type is made of bronze, but of so diminutive
a size as to give rise to the idea that it was a toy (=Fig. 91=, No.
31).
[Illustration: =Fig. 89.=--LA TÈNE. Nos. 8 = ½, 20 = ⅛, 12 = about
1/20, and the rest = ¼ real size.]
_Chisels and Gouges._--These tools differ only from those of the
Bronze Age in being made of iron. They are in considerable numbers
(=Fig. 90=, Nos. 33 and 34).
_Hammers._--Only a very few hammers are recorded; they are small,
and generally hafted by means of a central hole (No. 22). The almost
entire absence of implements from La Tène, required in the forging of
iron, is somewhat remarkable, and in striking contrast with the number
of foundry materials collected from the palafittes of "_le bel âge du
bronze_."
_Saws._--Also sparingly represented. Two found by Vouga had handles,
one of horn (No. 25) and the other of wood (No. 24). Another has a
solid handle of iron, and terminates at the other end in a curious
raised hook (No. 29).
_File._--Only one object of this class (No. 37) is recorded.
_Shears._--Three of these implements are here illustrated (Nos. 15,
16, and 17), from which it will be seen that they are precisely
similar to those still used for sheep-shearing. They are elegant
in shape, and some even still retain their elasticity. The number
collected from La Tène is over a dozen.
_Sickles and Scythes._--The few sickles recorded resemble those of
modern times, and some of them had teeth. Scythes, more numerous than
the sickles, vary in size from 14 to 20 inches in length, and 1½ to
3 inches in breadth. They were hafted by a crooked tang and a ring,
precisely like those still in use (Nos. 30 and 32).
_Knives._--As regards style and ornamentation, the knives of the Iron
Age are greatly inferior to those of the preceding age. Their size and
special characters are sufficiently shown in the illustrations (Nos. 8
to 12). One, like the saw already noticed, has a peculiar hook at the
point (No. 23).
_Razors._--The so-called razors are short, thick, and heavy blades
with a rounded cutting edge, and a small prolongation as a handle
(Nos. 18, 27, and 28). One of these implements was found adhering by
its rust to a pair of shears (Nos. 17 and 18).
[Illustration: =Fig. 90.=--LA TÈNE. All ¼ real size.]
_Pruning Hooks._--Under this category I reckon some large cutting
implements in the form of a bent knife, similar to that in present use
for cutting hedges. The one here figured from La Tène (No. 31) is very
similar to those found on some of the palafittes in Lake Constance.
(See =Fig. 32=, No. 11.)
_Pincers._--Pincers are of bronze and iron, and vary considerably both
in size and form, as may be seen from the illustrations (=Fig. 91=,
No. 11 to 14).
_Pots and Dishes._--Of earthenware only a few fragments have come to
light, and it is said to be of a totally different kind from that of
the true palafittes. It is black and coarse, and shows no evidence
of having been made on the wheel; but as to this there appears to be
difference of opinion. (B. 428, p. 27, and 446, p. 48.) In addition
to this kind, however, there are usually found on the surface of the
peaty bed and in the superimposed gravel beds fragments of tiles,
pottery, etc., the Roman origin of which cannot be mistaken; but such
industrial remains, according to the explorers, are more superficial,
and, consequently, posterior to the Gallic remains. (B. 428, p. 27.)
On the other hand, La Tène has furnished several large pots of beaten
bronze, with rims and ring-handles of iron (=Fig. 92=, No. 19), some
bronze cups (No. 18), a large iron ladle (No. 20), and one or two
chains with large hooks, probably pot-hangers (No. 1). The cup here
represented was found on the shore in the vicinity of La Tène, but it
is supposed to have come from this station.[45]
_Fishing Materials_ (=Fig. 90=).--Among this class of objects are
some large spears with two or three prongs (No. 14), fishing-hooks of
bronze and iron (Nos. 39 and 40), and some implements like the iron
tips of boating gaffs (Nos. 13 and 26).
_Diverse._--Hammer-stones, polishers, and corn-grinders are like those
used in the preceding ages.
3. OBJECTS OF ORNAMENT AND DRESS.--As regards the objects coming under
this category, if we exclude the fibulæ and torques, which we now
know to have been worn by men as well as women, it is noteworthy that
those peculiar to female adornment are extremely rare, if not entirely
awanting--a fact which strongly supports the theory that this station
was a military fort.
_Fibulæ_ (=Fig. 91=).--The number of fibulæ from La Tène now amounts
to several hundreds. They are all made on one principle, viz. that
of our modern safety-pins. This principle is simply an evolutionary
stage of the function of the straight pin, by which the point is bent
round so as to meet the top after having subjected the stem to several
twists so as to give it elasticity. In the part corresponding to the
top of the pin there is a catch for the point when fastened. The
ornamentation on the upper part and the number of spiral twists on
the stem are so varied that each fibula has a distinct individuality
of its own, and no two specimens exactly alike have ever yet been
found. Their average size is from two to six inches in length, but
sometimes they exceed this, as in one here figured (No. 1), which is
10½ inches in length. They are almost exclusively made of iron (Nos.
1 to 6), the exceptions being one or two of bronze (Nos. 18 and 26),
and a small circular-shaped brooch of gold (B. 428, p. 28), which are
somewhat analogous to those of the Hallstadt period.
[Illustration: =Fig. 91.=--LA TÈNE. No. 32 = ⅓, and the rest = ½
real size.]
_Pins, Needles, etc._--The ornamental pins are few in number, and
generally made of bronze. Of four here figured (Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 36)
one has a double stem, and is so similar to some half-dozen found in
the Pfahlbauten of the Bronze Age that it is more likely to be a stray
object from the latter than a relic of La Tène. Nor is this at all
improbable, as we have already seen that there were several of these
stations quite in the vicinity of La Tène, the relic-beds of which
have become almost entirely disintegrated by the waves.
A remarkable object, found by Vouga, consists of an ornamental bronze
tube, closed at one end, and having six movable rings symmetrically
arranged (No. 19). There can be no doubt this was a needle-holder, as
it contained a well-formed needle of iron (No. 20). Another curious
object, having an eye like that of a needle, terminating in an
elongated bulb instead of a sharp point, is represented by No. 15.
_Buckles, Rings, etc._--A large assortment of iron clasps (Nos. 27 and
30), buckles (Nos. 28 and 32), rings (No. 33), etc., is to be found in
all the collections from La Tène. There are also to be met with a few
beads and buttons of bronze (No. 23), and some glass beads of a pretty
blue colour, or variegated with blue, yellow, and white (Nos. 22, 24,
and 25). One has part of a bronze twisted wire passing through it (No.
21).
_Bracelets._--In striking contrast to the fibulæ, bracelets are very
rare. Dr. Gross figures one of bronze wire; another of an iron rod,
with the inside flattened; and a third of iron plate, riveted, forming
a hollow tube, reminding one of the ornamental hollow rings of the
Bronze Age. (B. 446, Pl x. 17, 18, and 27.) Of the two here figured
(Nos. 34 and 35), one is a spiral rod, and the other a flat band, both
of iron. Fragments of glass bracelets, in the form of a flat band,
having the outside ornamented with wavy corrugations, have also been
found. (B. 126, p. 294.)
_Neck-Rings._--Several portions of massive neck rings, precisely
similar to those represented on ancient statuary as peculiar to
distinguished Gallic warriors, as, for example, that on the neck of
the "Dying Gladiator" in Rome, have been found at La Tène. They appear
to have been made of two symmetrical portions, which, when worn, were
united at the back of the neck, and then formed a large penannular
ring, with an expanded bulb at each end (Nos. 16 and 17). They were
sometimes plain rings, but generally they were more or less worked
into some artistic pattern. That represented on the dying gladiator is
distinctly seen to be twisted spirally immediately above the terminal
bulbs. Of the two here represented, one (No. 16) is of gold, and
weighs 72·90 grammes, and the other of bronze (No. 17).
4. HORSE-TRAPPINGS, WAGGONS, ETC.--Among the objects under this
class we have not only bridle-bits (=Fig. 89=, Nos. 14 to 18),
spurs (No. 6), various discs and other objects of bronze, supposed
to have been ornaments on horse-harness (Nos. 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, and
21), but the actual remains of waggons, as wheels (No. 12), part of
the wooden pole, linch-pins (No. 19), and other attachments. The
wheel here figured shows a nave with 10 spokes and fellies, which
are bound together by an iron hoop, precisely similar to the wheels
now in use. "La roue entière," writes its discoverer, "a un mètre de
diamètre; trouvée en compagnie d'épées gauloises, elle avait sur le
moyeu un umbo de bouclier. Le cercle de fer qui l'entoure, d'environ
un centimètre d'épaisseur, a 5 centimètres de largeur, le moyeu a
60 centimètres de longueur, il est formé de deux pièces, reliées de
chaque côté par un ou deux petits cercles. Les rais sont en chêne au
nombre de dix et la jante est, ou plutôt était, d'une seule pièce
courbée et paraît de frêne; elle avait été raccommodée et la pièce
est assujettie au moyen d'un clou et d'une embrasse de fer.
"Elle était encore entière, mais, en la transportant, quelques
rais tombèrent et comme je ne pus pas la mettre immédiatement et
entièrement dans l'eau, la jante se retira en peu de jours, laissant
un espace entre le bois et le fer, de sorte que, quand je voulus
mettre la roue entière dans son bassin de zinc, elle se sépara en
plusieurs morceaux.
"Dans la même couche, mais dans la partie inférieure, puisqu'elle
allait en pente, on trouvait des parties d'autres roues, des rais,
moyeux calcinés, des manches de haches droits ou coudés pour celts,
des parties de bois de lances, des poches en bois avec manches des
fragments de grandes écuelles en bois, etc., de grandes et fortes
poutres avec mortaises." (B. 428, p. 22.)
The fragments of this interesting relic are now carefully preserved in
liquid in a large trough in the Museum at Neuchâtel.
The number of bridle-bits (excluding objects represented by Nos. 15
and 16, which are also supposed to have been used for this purpose)
amounts to about a dozen. They are all made of well-beaten iron, with
the exception of one (No. 17) which has a superficial layer of bronze
over the iron, and have large side-rings, and a central mouthpiece
divided into two symmetrical halves.
5. MONEY, OBJECTS OF AMUSEMENT, ETC.--_Coins._--But perhaps the most
interesting feature of La Tène is the discovery of coins among its
strange assortment of relics. Some of these are Roman, but others are
undoubtedly of Gallic origin, being identical with those otherwise
known to have been current among the various tribes in Gaul, prior to
any intervention in their affairs by the Romans. In most cases they
were picked up on the surface or amongst constantly shifting gravel,
and of course no conclusive inferences could be drawn from them. This
uncertainty is now, however, removed by the discovery of two gold
pieces at a depth of 10 feet below the present surface, and associated
with the usual characteristic objects of La Tène. "En creusant à la
drague," says Vouga, "les pêcheurs de M. Schwab ont découvert une
monnaie d'or et plusieurs monnaies d'argent et de potin ou de bronze.
Plus tard, M. Alexis Dardel et d'autres personnes en ont aussi trouvé
en assez grand nombre, surtout sur la tourbe et sur les bords du lac
où les vagues les entraînaient, et une quantité de monnaies romaines
avec des monnaies de Marseille, de Nîmes, de Lyon, de Vienne. Le
plus grand nombre a dû se trouver sur l'île, entre les deux bras de
la Thielle; mais de là, à mesure que le terrain était enlevé, ces
monnaies étaient balayées et entraînées au bord avec les graviers.
[Illustration: =Fig. 92.=--LA TÈNE. Nos. 1, 15, 19 and 20 = about ⅙,
18 = ⅓ and the rest = ⅔ real size.]
"Comme elles se trouvent toutes pêle-mêle, on ne peut en tirer des
conclusions bien sûres. Il n'en est pas de même de deux monnaies en
or trouvées à trois mètres de profondeur avec les objets mêmes de la
Tène, en février, 1884; ce sont, d'après les descriptions qu'en a
faites M. le Dr. Trachsel, de Lausanne, qui les croit Carnutes, du
pays Chartrain. Une monnaie gauloise, en or pâle, concave, du poids de
7.783 grammes (=Fig. 92=, No. 2): A. Tête à bandeau royal; R. Aurige
conduisant un char attelé de deux chevaux; à l'exergue, inscription
étrusque ou grecque, indistincte." (B. 428, p. 29.) The other coin is
very like the above in every respect, except that it is smaller, being
only about one quarter of its weight.
The gold coins are rare, only seven in all, according to Vouga, being
recorded. One, in the Museum of Bienne, is described by Keller (B.
126, p. 302, and Pl. xv. 34) as a bad imitation of the Macedonian
coins of Philip. Another (described in the _Anzeiger_ for 1883, p.
401) is similar to =Fig. 92=, No. 2. A fifth is a fragment, and the
remaining two consist of small elongated rolls of gold (No. 10).[46]
Besides the gold coins from La Tène, there are about 100 of silver,
and about the same number of bronze or potin (a mixture of copper,
tin, and lead), representing a great variety of coinages, both native
and foreign (Nos. 3 to 9, and 11).
Dr. Gross, having submitted some specimens of these coins, intended
as illustrations for his work on La Tène, to M. A. de Barthelémy,
publishes the following as the opinion of this eminent numismatist as
to their date:--
"En résumé les monnaies dessinées sur la planche XI, à l'exception des
Nos. 23 et 24 [gold coins] qui, à cause de leur métal, ont en un cours
prolongé, sont de la seconde moitié du premier siècle avant l'ère
chrétienne, principalement de la fin." (B. 446, p. 47.)
_Amusements._--Among objects of this nature are several dice, some of
bronze and others of bone (Nos. 12 to 14). Also, about a dozen small
stones of the size of ordinary marbles, and perfectly round, except on
one side, where there is a segment, as it were, cut off, are supposed
to have been used for some kind of game.
_Diverse._--In concluding this summary of the relics from La Tène, I
have merely to mention as unclassified objects a four-footed figurine
and a small wheel, both of bronze, and in the collection of Mr. Dardel
(Nos. 16 and 17). Dr. Gross describes a bronze object resembling a
tobacco-pipe (No. 21) which, he believes, was found on this station.
6. OSSEOUS REMAINS.--To these relics is further to be added a large
quantity of the osseous remains of men and domestic animals. Of the
circumstances in which the earlier finds of this description were made
we have not very definite information. Keller, writing in 1866 (B.
126, p. 295), speaks of a basketful of human bones representing some
eight individuals; and Desor about the same time found a human skull,
which he figures in his work on the palafittes. (B. 95.) M. Vouga,
however, gives precise and most interesting information regarding
the conditions in which he encountered the osseous remains of human
beings, as well as those of the horse, ox, pig, and dog.
We have already seen how M. Vouga came upon the _débris_ of a series
of wooden houses constructed on the banks of an ancient river.
Referring to these establishments he thus writes:--
"Devant le premier établissement je trouvai un crâne entier de femme.
Devant le second, je trouvai pareillement les ossements de trois ou
quatre personnes et trois crânes, dont un portait les traces de coups
d'épée sur le sommet; un second était remarquable par sa déformité
et l'extension de la partie postérieure. Devant le quatrième, deux
mâchoires inférieures et les ossements dune trentaine de personnes,
avec un très grand nombre d'os de chevaux, de boeufs, et de
porcs. Devant le troisième, un crâne de chien grand et entier. Devant
le cinquième, trois squelettes entiers dont un portait une corde au
cou(?).
"Outres ces crânes et ces ossements dont je puis indiquer la
provenance, il a été trouvé un grand nombre d'autres squelettes,
d'ossements divers, de crânes de chevaux appartenant à une petite race.
"Je ne pourrais pas garantir l'âge de tous les squelettes, puisque,
comme je l'ai dit en commençant, deux doivent être bourguignons,
ayant retrouvé l'emplacement de la tombe avec un poignard de cette
époque, et que six autres se sont trouvés à mi-hauteur, non loin d'un
chénau en bois, et que la couche romaine paraissait s'incliner vers ce
côté-là," (B. 428, p. 31.)
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON LA TÈNE.--In face of the above facts, the
opinion of the earlier investigators that La Tène was an ordinary
palafitte of the Iron Age, analogous to the lake-villages of the
preceding ages, can no longer be entertained. Its geographical
position, commanding the great highway between Constance and Geneva,
and the vast preponderance of warlike weapons among its relics,
clearly point to its having been a military station or outlook. Nor
does it require much penetration to learn from its present ruins
something of its final fate. The quantity of human bones representing
some 30 or 40 individuals, some with gashes on the tops of their
skulls; the number of abandoned swords, still in their scabbards;
the incongruous medley of relics found by Vouga at the bottom of
the ancient river-bed--all indicate that its capture by an enemy
was sudden and the struggle fierce. The discovery of Roman remains,
such as coins, tiles, pottery, bricks (one with the mark of the 21st
legion, "Rapax"),[47] on and around La Tène, leave little doubt that
its conquerors were the Romans.
_Literature._--B. 22, 31, 72, 95, 119, 126, 419, 420_a_', 420_b_',
420_c_, 428, 434_a_, 446, 449_a_", and 463_c_. Also Virchow on the
human remains in vols. xv. and xvi., _Zeit. für Ethn. Verhand._