Sacred sites and power in West Hallstatt chiefdoms: the cases of Bourges, Vix, Chatillon-sur-Glane and Hochdorf
Important changes were under wayduring the late Hallstatt period. Most research on that period has been guided by the defence of the existence of powerful 'princely' settlements (the sa-called Fiirstensitze),' which acted as political and economic centres.ĂâĂÂ· These Fiirstensitze represented the summit of the socia-political hierarchy. Their importance has traditionally beenĂâĂÂ· attributed to their position at nodes of commerce Qong-distance trade) and communication, in particular with the Mediterranean societies. Thus, since the 1970's research has considered various factors constituting their basis of power and prestige: the control of access to foreign prestigious resources, the redistribution of resources, the control of local production, exchange, age and, most recendy, the factor of sacred kinship. The present study shows that this 'traditional' Fiirstensitz model leads to a distorted picture of these ancient societies, their settlement system and life in the late Hallstatt period. As an alternative to this model and to widespread nea-evolutionist explanations, this study places its focus on ritual performances. Setting out with the comparative analysis of four case studies (Bourges, Chatillon-sur-Glane,
Tacla, Adriene Baron
Sacred sites and power in West Hallstatt chiefdoms: the cases of Bourges, Vix, Chatillon-sur-Glane and Hochdorf. Important changes were under wayduring the late Hallstatt period. Most research on that period has been guided by the defence of the existence of powerful 'princely' settlements (the sa-called Fiirstensitze),' which acted as political and economic centres.ĂâĂÂ· These Fiirstensitze represented the summit of the socia-political hierarchy. Their importance has traditionally beenĂâĂÂ· attributed to their position at nodes of commerce Qong-distance trade) and communication, in particular with the Mediterranean societies. Thus, since the 1970's research has considered various factors constituting their basis of power and prestige: the control of access to foreign prestigious resources, the redistribution of resources, the control of local production, exchange, age and, most recendy, the factor of sacred kinship. The present study shows that this 'traditional' Fiirstensitz model leads to a distorted picture of these ancient societies, their settlement system and life in the late Hallstatt period. As an alternative to this model and to widespread nea-evolutionist explanations, this study places its focus on ritual performances. Setting out with the comparative analysis of four case studies (Bourges, Chatillon-sur-Glane,
sacred sit power west case important change late period period guide defence existence powerful princely settlement called act political_economic represent political hierarchy importance traditionally attribute position node commerce distance trade communication particular mediterranean society thus since consider various_factor constitute basis power prestige control access foreign prestigious resource redistribution resource control local production_exchange age factor sacred kinship present_study show traditional model lead distorted picture ancient_society settlement system life late period alternative_model widespread explanation study place focus ritual performance setting comparative_analysis four_case study