The Iron Age cemetery of Münsingen in Switzerland with 220 abundantly equipped burials marked a milestone for Iron Age research. The horizontal spread throughout the time of its occupancy laid the foundation for the chronology system of the Late Iron Age. Today, skulls of 77 individuals and some postcranial bones are still preserved. The aim of the study was to obtain information about diet, mobility and social stratification of the individuals. Stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur were analysed for 63 individuals. For all of them, C 3 plants were found to be the staple food. There are significant differences between males and females in δ

In Switzerland, a large number of Iron Age burial sites were found in the last century. Changes in living conditions and socio-cultural behavior may have occurred over time and space and could be reflected in the dietary habits, social stratigraphy within populations and migration patterns. This study attempts to shed light on these aspects with the application of stable isotope analyses. Human remains from 11 different burial sites (n = 164) in the area of today's Swiss Plateau and Swiss Alpine regions were investigated. Temporal and geographical variations as well as sex and age-related dietary differences were analyzed through isotopic studies (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 34 S). In total, the data of 129 individuals could be evaluated. Highly significant differences between the burial sites were found, with higher δ 13 C and δ 15 N values in the Alpine regions. Cultural and/or climatic changes as well as the different geological conditions might have led to distinct patterns of crop cultivation and animal husbandry and consequently to significantly different dietary habits in the Plateau and the Alpine regions. The data indicate a higher intake of millet and animal protein including early dairy production in the southern regions, probably influenced by the Mediterranean world.Cultural exchange between geographical regions might have been facilitated by migration during the Iron Age as suggested by the δ 34 S.

Over the most recent years, micro-analytical facilities based on neutron beams as well as synchrotron X-ray radiation advanced to indispensable instruments in the context of investigating artwork and archaeological artifacts. Using a combined approach of neutron and X-ray micro-beam techniques we investigated a uniquely decorated flanged axe dated into the Early Bronze Age (2200-1600 BC). This axe found in Central Europe is in view of its very early dating and striking parallels to Greek objects one of the most important artifacts concerning the provenance of its particular decoration technique. Neutron tomography was employed to obtain a full three-dimensional structural analysis of the object. Complementary, X-ray microprobe investigations were used to produce two-dimensional chemical and crystallographic images with high spatial resolution. The analysis of the internal structural details of the historical object provides invaluable information regarding manufacturing techniques and material properties. Important insights were obtained for different steps of the object creation including the body casting, the smithing, and-most important-the unique damascening decoration. The compositional analysis and the chemical imaging yield crucial information about the provenance of the metallic raw materials used. The technical and structural peculiarities observed for the axe of Thun-Renzenb€ uhl reveal distinct differences as compared to Mediterranean objects. Additionally, the chemical analysis of the copper inlays used as part of the decoration point towards the usage of pure copper metal, again in contrast to the more 'exotic' copper-gold alloys employed in the Mediterranean damascening decorations. Contradictory to the widely accepted conception of a strong influence of Mediterranean cultures, the present findings point towards a considerable influence of Bronze Age Central Europe by cultures located in the Balkan Peninsula and Caucasus region.

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An examination of the skeletons from the well-known La Tène cemetery of Münsingen-Rain shows that they represent members of a high ranking group, and that they were closely related. These new findings prompt the authors to examine the written documents that refer to nobility in the Roman and Celtic world.