La Tène

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Prehistoric settlement at the east end of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, which has given its name to a culture of the Iron Age dating from the 5th century BC to the Roman conquest.

The site was probably the crossing point of a river, no longer in existence, for most of the finds are associated with a wooden structure thought to be a bridge. The richness of metalwork found, in particular the swords and weapons, and a new style of decorative art recognized as the first Celtic art distinguish the culture, but little else changed from the preceding Hallstatt period.

Although often coloured yellow, the island is intended to be copper, reflecting the country's name, ‘Copper Island’. Effective date: c. September 1960. >>