La Tène period find horizons in the uplands of the Lower Saxony Central Uplands and their interpretation within the historical context of their times

Abstract

During recent years the regional archaeology of Hanover has carried out systematic surveying of La Tène period defended sites within its jurisdiction which were under increasing threat from find-robbers. In one case even several hundred objects were able to be recovered in a house search by the police. In addition to these defensive constructions three sites in open upland situations have yielded La Tène period find horizons basically corresponding to those from the defended sites. In the present paper the question is discussed as to whether these are to be interpreted as undefended upland settlements or whether perhaps a completely different reason lies behind them.