Archeology reveals the complex mechanisms of ancient civilizations, shedding light on their cultural and economic practices. The Altenburg-Rheinau site, located on the German-Swiss border, is at the heart of this exploration. Occupied in the 1st century BC, this Celtic oppidum is distinguished by its key role in commercial exchanges between Central Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
Research by the Stuttgart Landesamt für Denkmalpflege and the University of Tübingen has uncovered storage structures, imported luxury items and previously unseen evidence of literacy. Among the notable discoveries, a bone stylus used to write on wax tablets testifies to an administratively advanced culture influenced by Rome. These finds open a window on a Celtic society in full transition, combining local tradition and international exchanges.
A Celtic oppidum of impressive dimensions
The Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum dates from the 1st century BC. It is among the largest and most important Celtic fortifications north of the Alps. Extending over 320 hectares, it covers two peninsulas located on either side of the Rhine. We find the Schwaben peninsula in Germany, occupying 233 hectares, and that of Au in Switzerland, extending over 88 hectares. These two spaces were protected by imposing ramparts, designed to defend a prosperous community against external threats. This strategic site, located on river routes, played a central role in controlling the trade routes linking Central Europe to the Mediterranean basin. But it also served as a safe haven for its inhabitants.
Since the first excavations carried out in the 1970s by the University of Tübingen, and as part of recent research led by the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege (LAD), the oppidum has revealed remarkable structures. Among them, large cylindrical pits reaching up to 2.5 meters deep. They are identified as food storage spaces. Dr. Günther Wieland, head of the research, emphasizes that these pits demonstrate a well-structured and specialized economy. These facilities, capable of preserving food over the long term, reflect advanced planning. This remains essential to support long-distance trade and guarantee the livelihood of a growing population.
Objects revealing commercial exchanges
Excavations carried out from 2022 to 2024 in the Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum also revealed material wealth. A true testimony to the vast networks of commercial exchanges which characterized this Celtic society. Among the artifacts found are a variety of local ceramics, ranging from coarse pottery to finer pieces. The inhabitants probably used them for domestic or ceremonial use. Finely worked bronze and iron fibulae show attention to clothing adornments, reflecting the social status of the inhabitants. But the fragments of Italian amphorae, intended for transporting wine, stand out for their importance. These containers, synonymous with refinement, reflect the enthusiasm of Celtic elites for Mediterranean products, particularly wine. Dr. Günther Wieland emphasizes that this drink represented a symbol of prestige. It was a pillar of exchanges between the Celts and their Roman partners.
Bronze belt hook with palmette from the 2023 excavation. © Yvonne Mühleis / LAD
In addition to material goods, excavations have uncovered numerous Celtic coins, tangible proof of a flourishing monetary economy. These pieces were often decorated with stylized motifs. They demonstrate the mastery of local metallurgy and the standardization necessary to support structured trade. The simultaneous presence of these currencies and Mediterranean imports suggests that Altenburg-Rheinau therefore played a central role as an economic crossroads. This site was not limited to producing for itself, but acted as a vital intermediary between the Celtic regions of Central Europe and the markets of the Mediterranean basin. It thus contributed to the growth of transcontinental trade at the end of the Iron Age.
The bone stylus: a rare trace of Celtic writing
Among the treasures unearthed in Altenburg-Rheinau, a bone stylus stands out for its rarity and symbolic value. Long and thin, this carefully crafted tool was used to engrave inscriptions on wax tablets. It was a technique inherited from Mediterranean practices. Its manufacture from bone, a durable and easily sculptable material, testifies to notable artisanal skill. Dr. Günther Wieland emphasizes the importance of this object: “ This is an exceptional indication of the use of writing in a Celtic context, where this type of evidence remains extremely rare “.
Celtic brooches in bronze and iron. © Yvonne Mühleis / LAD
Beyond its practical function, this stylus reveals a level of administrative organization unsuspected in a Celtic oppidum. Wieland insists: “ Writing, combined with the use of money, was essential to maintaining large-scale commercial relations “. The existence of such a tool suggests that the oppidum was not only a commercial platform, but also a management and coordination center. This implies that local elites, influenced by Roman practices, used writing to manage trade, establish inventories or conclude transactions with their Mediterranean partners. This simple object thus becomes a tangible witness to the administrative and cultural sophistication which characterized Altenburg-Rheinau at its peak.
An oppidum with a structured agricultural economy
The agricultural economy of the inhabitants of the Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum is based on a methodical organization adapted to the needs of a complex society. The numerous animal bones found on the site, the vast majority of which are cattle remains, attest to extensive specialization in livestock breeding. These animals were not only used to provide meat. They also played an essential role in dairy production, transportation and agricultural work. The selection of reared species, combined with rigorous herd management, reflects mastery of food production cycles. This specialization went beyond self-sufficiency. In fact, the production of meat and animal products was intended for commercial exchanges with the Mediterranean basin. These foodstuffs were very popular there.
Agriculture was not limited to livestock. The surrounding fertile soils also provided ideal conditions for growing cereals. A crop necessary for both human and animal food. This is where the large cylindrical pits came into play for the conservation and protection of crops against bad weather and pests. Associated with the presence of numerous agricultural tools, they demonstrate a system of collective resource management. Dr. Günther Wieland speaks of a “ organized and resilient economy, capable of supporting a large population and fueling trade networks “. These discoveries undoubtedly place the Altenburg-Rheinau oppidum at the heart of regional and interregional economic dynamics.
Source: State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (LAD)
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