An examination of the effects of mediterranean imports on celtic social structures through burial analysis

Abstract

This paper provides a look at the effects of Mediterranean imports on Celtic society in the Middle Rhine-Moselle region through an investigation of burial analysis. These imports, known as prestige goods, were used by the Celtic elite to demonstrate their power and authority and can be readily identified in Celtic burial context. During the Late Hallstatt period, elite control of Mediterranean trade networks shifted, resulting in increased trade with this zone. This increase in trade is identified and is a possible cause of the development of a new Celtic culture known as the La T?ne. By analyzing the burials that contain Mediterranean imports from the Late Hallstatt period to the La T?ne A period, changes in the burial forms, location and size were identified that confirm this change in society. In addition it was found that elite graves that contained imports within the Late Hallstatt and La T?ne A were significantly different, in terms of burial characteristics, than the elite graves which did not possess imports.