Tènekulturen

Tènekulturen, also known as the Tène culture, was a significant Iron Age culture that flourished in Central Europe from around 450 BCE to 50 CE. The culture is named after the Tène River in Switzerland, where one of its most important sites, the oppidum of Tène, was located. The Tènekulturen is characterized by its distinctive pottery, which features a distinctive red slip and black decoration, often depicting geometric patterns and animal motifs.

The Tènekulturen is often associated with the Celtic tribes, although it is important to note that the term "Celtic" is a modern construct and does not accurately describe the diverse range of peoples and cultures that inhabited the region during the Iron Age. The Tènekulturen is also known for its extensive trade networks, which connected the region with other parts of Europe and beyond. This trade facilitated the spread of ideas, technologies, and goods, contributing to the cultural and economic development of the region.

The Tènekulturen is typically divided into two main phases: the Early Tène (450-250 BCE) and the Late Tène (250-50 BCE). The Early Tène is characterized by the construction of large oppida, fortified settlements that served as centers of political and economic power. The Late Tène, on the other hand, is marked by a shift towards more open settlement patterns and a greater emphasis on trade and commerce.

The Tènekulturen came to an end with the Roman conquest of Gaul, which began in the late 1st century BCE. The Roman Empire incorporated much of the territory previously inhabited by the Tènekulturen into its own political and economic systems, leading to significant changes in the region's cultural and social landscape.