Latenezeitllicher Glasringschmuck aus Ostösterreich

Ornamental ring-shaped glass objects of the La Tène Period from the area of Eastern Austria are discussed in this book. The first part contains an archaeological study of the finds, the second part consists of a scientific analysis of the glass of these artefacts. Bracelets, ring-beads and small rings (“Fingerringe”) made of glass are characteristic of the La Tène Culture and since the beginning of Middle La Tène Period have been found in practically every important site of this culture. So far 639 Middle and Late La Tène glass rings have been found at 94 archaeological sites located in Eastern Austria. The majority of these objects originate from settlements. All kinds of glass bracelets, ring-beads and “Fingerringe” typical for La Tène Culture, as well as other examples found in the area are of a known variety. Chronologically, the material in question dates back over the whole Middle and Late La Tène Periods, i.e. phases LT C and LT D. Today the employment of a variety of state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research techniques allows a thorough analysis of archaeological material to be made. Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) was applied to determine the element concentrations in glass of several artefacts studied.