Late Latène-Sanctuary on Frauenberg near Leibnitz/Styria

Between 1991 and 1998, an object from the Latène-period and unique for Austria`s south-eastern Alpine region was excavated on a terrace lying off the Frauenberg near Leibnitz. Parts of a Celtic sanctuary of the French type were uncovered that usually consist of a central sacrificial area and a ditch surrounded by palisades. This ditch was filled with waste from the ritual activities that took part inside the sanctuaries and was kept from profane use in this way. On the Frauenberg, an 80-metre section of the western enclosure ditch including the entrance area of the sanctuary was documented. While the outer appearance is almost identical with the northern French sanctuaries of the "Picardie"-type, the content of the ditch clearly differs. Although it includes comprehensive archaeological finds (weapons, coins, jewellery, ceramics and human bones with cut-marks), the large number and selection of specific skeletal elements of domestic animals, especially cattle scapulae, is exceptional. More than 2,000 interlocked scapulae of more than 1,000 animals were deposited in the ditch within a very short time. Beside the archaeozoological analysis, which due to the extensive series enables not only a detailed study of the population size and sex structure of this regional cattle population but also a comparison with the southern German oppidum of Manching, this project/investigation aims to reconstruct the stratogenetic process and the question of the ritual significance of the scapulae. The modified human bones, which were deposited in a specific pattern in different layers of the ditch`s contents, indicate a complex sacrificial or burial ritual. For the first time in a south-eastern Alpine region, the rich, stratified archaeological material allows a precise typochronological analysis (ceramics, fibulas, coins and imported ceramics) from the middle of the 2nd cent. B.C. to the middle of the 1st cent. A.D. Archaeological, archaeozoological, paleobotanical and anthropological findings in synthesis with other natural sciences will make it possible to reconstruct environmental changes, the process of deposition and some parts of the preceding ritual activities. In addition, the project intends to create a model of this unique Celtic sanctuary regarding its construction and ritual use by comparison with similar sites, objects and locations, and by drawing on the results of religious studies and ethnography, as well as historical sources. Due to the composition and condition of the findings, the analysis leading to this goal may be considered basic research in all the participant scientific fields.

During rescue-excavations of Austrian Office for the Protection of Monuments between 1991 and 1998 on Perl- /Stadläcker on the Frauenberg near Leibnitz/Styria, it was for the first time possible to find a sanctuary of the Gallic-type "Picardie" in the eastern celtic area. In cooperation of archeologists, archeozoologists, paleobotanic, palynologist, dendrochronologist, geologist and numismatic in a FWF-project, a perfect synthesis of finds and environment was possible. The sanctuary, which was divided from the fortified settlement, included an area of more than 5000 m with a ditch of trapezoid shape, that was interrupted by an entrance. Outside around the ditch a small rampart was situated, maybe with pallisades (?) on the top. A lot of pits inside the "Temenos" contained rich finds. For the reconstruction of the rituals or processes inside the sanctuary, the different layers of the ditch are of decisive importance. It was possible to separate nine levels of filling, the first started in the first half of the 2nd cent. B. c., the last activities happened around the turn of time. The enormous finds were dominated by four maingroups: animal bones, human bones, weapons and pottery. There were also parts of waggons, female accessoirs, gold- and silvercoins and two pieces of moulds for the production of coins, which can give evidence for celtic coin- production on Frauenberg. While weapons, which were destroyed to small pieces, were obligate part of all layers in the ditch, the animal bones dominated the lowest and oldest layers. A changing of ritual becomes obvious, the "bloody" animal sacrifice was subtituted by rituals of food- and drink-sacrification. A large amount of bowls and beakers might be interpreted as remains of cultical meals. Without compareable example are more than 2000 scapulae of cows, which belong to at least 1300 animals (mainly bull!) and were deponated in the ditch mostly at the same time. A lot of fine scratching-lines on the fleshless side of scapulae is still without any logical explanation. Human bones with cutting-marks are relicts of a complex multistepped inhumation process, whereas the skulls seem to be remains of trophees, because of their position in the ditch. DNA-analysis will be possible to answer this question. On some pieces of ceramicsherds remains of incised inscriptions or single letters could be found. While the alphabet is venetic, the language seems to be celtic. One fragment contains parts of a dedication inscription and underlines the charakter of sacrification.