Largest prehistoric iron find reveals Iron Age trade
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Archaeologists in Deinham, Austria, examined a collection of iron bars uncovered during gravel extraction and determined it is the largest known assemblage of prehistoric iron in Europe.
Peter Trebsche of the University of Innsbruck and Marion Berranger of the Université de Technologie de Belfort Montbéliard analyzed the find, dating it to the La Tène period, between the mid-fifth and first centuries B.C. a time of growing iron production across Europe.
The discovery includes at least 500 iron semi-products, weighing over one metric ton. Researchers believe the iron was likely being shipped down the Danube River for trade, indicating that Central European societies of the time possessed sophisticated inland shipping capabilities. While the final destination for the iron remains unknown, the team suggests it was likely forged in Bavaria, near fortified towns called “oppida” where iron production sites have been located.
This large cargo, enough iron to forge around 500 swords, demonstrates the increased production capacity in the Danube region during the third and second centuries B.C. The value of the iron was likely substantial, possibly equivalent to the value of large gold coin hoards found at sites like Manching in Bavaria, suggesting increasing monetization during the La Tène period.
The finders reported the iron to authorities rather than selling it for scrap, preserving a unique opportunity to study prehistoric iron production and trade.
