Owing to the peaty nature of the matrix in which the relics from La Tène were embedded they are in a remarkably good state of preservation. They consist chiefly of iron implements and weapons, presenting a striking difference not only in material but also in form and style of manufacture from any found in the ordinary lake-dwellings. Articles of bronze are sparingly met with, and they are, with one or two exceptions, very dissimilar to those from the true palafittes of the Bronze Age. In giving a short description of these relics it will be convenient to group them under the following heads:—(1) Arms; (2) Implements and Utensils; (3) Articles of Ornament and Dress; (4) Horse-Trappings and Waggons; (5) Money, and Objects of Amusement, etc.; (6) Osseous Remains.
Fig. 87.—La Tène. Nos. 9 to 12, and 15 = 1⁄2;, and the rest = 1⁄4; real size.
1. Arms.—Swords ([Fig. 87]).—The swords from La Tène, which now number considerably over 100, are all made after one characteristic type. They vary in total length from 30 to 38 inches (or even more), of which the handles occupy 4 to 6½ inches. The blade is always double-edged, generally without a defined median ridge, and scarcely tapers in its whole length till within a few inches of the extremity, when it gradually forms a round blunt tip. It is devoid of ornamentation, except in one or two instances where parallel grooves run along the median line, or the surface becomes thickly dotted with small impressions. Others again have small incised figures upon them (No. 15), but these are supposed to be makers' marks—an interpretation which seems to be corroborated from the fact that those bearing such marks are of a superior quality. The handle is separated from the blade by a prominent curved ridge attached to the hilt of the blade, into the concave side of which the end of the scabbard neatly fits. Although all the swords hitherto found at La Tène have this dividing ridge in the form of a graceful curve such as is represented in the illustrations, I may remark that some of the same type from other stations are straight. What now remains of the handle is merely the central tang, over which there was a grip of horn or wood. On this tang were sometimes small transverse plaques for fastening the handle (No. 8); and Vouga figures one with two small circles from a grave of the Iron Age at Bevaix, which I here reproduce (No. 7) on account of its striking similarity to the sword-handles from Lisnacroghera. (See [Fig. 124], Nos. 1 and 2.)
The sheaths are formed of two plates of iron (rarely bronze), one of which overlaps the other at the margins, where they are riveted together. Sometimes these plates are strengthened by one or more cross ridges, and about the lower third a raised bead begins which runs round the tip. These attachments often assume an ornamental character (Nos. 3, 4, and 5). The upper surface of the sheath is also generally ornamented with a variety of curious designs, in which spiral and recurring scroll patterns play a conspicuous part (Nos. 3, 10, and 11). But perhaps the most remarkable design is that of three fantastic animals (No. 9), which, from their resemblance to the figures on Gallic coins, first led Desor to the conclusion that the weapons had a similar origin. Only three sheaths are known to have been ornamented along their entire length—viz. Nos. 1, 2, and 12. That on No. 12 was repeated three times at regular intervals. The underside of the sheath has always a suspension clasp, which assumes various elegant shapes (Nos. 4, 13, and 14). In one instance the upper sheath-plate was of bronze, and another had both plates of iron, but the surrounding bead was of bronze. No. 6 represents a piece of iron (being one of about a dozen similar pieces found at La Tène), which is supposed to be the rudimentary stage of the sword-blade.
Fig. 88.—La Tène. Nos. 7, 10, 13, and 14 = 1⁄3, and the rest = 1⁄4 real size.
Lance and Javelin Heads ([Fig. 88]).—These weapons are extremely varied in shape and size, as may be seen from a glance at the illustrations. They all have sockets, and the smallness of the bore at once distinguishes them from Roman weapons of the same class. Sometimes the socket is short, while the blade is large and leaf-shaped, and at other times it runs nearly the whole length of the latter. Two nail holes, and sometimes small prominences, are seen at the lower end of the socket, by which the wooden handle was more firmly fastened. In a few instances (No. 12) there is no median ridge, but generally this is a prominent feature extending the whole length of the blade, and sometimes it assumes a triangular form, like that in our modern bayonet (Nos. 3, 4, etc.). Another peculiarity of some of these weapons is the cutting away of segments and semilunar portions, either at the edges (Nos. 1, 3, and 17) or in the body of the blade (Nos. 1 and 2). One fine weapon has an oval blade with a crenated or wavy edge (No. 5).