Abstract
How can we design borders of and within the La Tène "world"? By spread of typical material culture? By distribution of characteristic sites (flat burials, oppida), by textual evidence of the presence of the "Celts" or according to the political-economic structures reflected namely in spatial distribution of characteristic coinage and pattern of long distance imports? Can same material culture harbour different cultural identities? How we understand communities existing under the label of "the La Tène culture"? Who were their neighbours, counterparts and of what nature were their mutual contacts? Did they understand the concept of borders as we understand it nowadays? Our recent findings show (mostly peaceful) coexistence of the main cultural groups in the transalpine area (especially "Celts" and "Germans"). This is well attested along the long distance routes (Amber route, Elbe route), in peripheries of traditionally used lands and at most of the major settlements.
The true break seems to come with the later Germanic occupation, when many regions around the central European area (Saxony, Lusatia, Moravia, parts of Bavaria etc.) remain deserted. However, there exist some evidence of the prevalence of these traditional connections.
The contribution aims to summarise research development made on the territorial issue of the La Tène culture and its northern (the "Germans") and southern (the "Romans") counterparts during the last ten years. We want especially to assess the importance of long distance routes (connecting the Adriatic, transalpine and Baltic regions) and to point out how contemporary study of these communications with the use of modern methods can change our traditional perspective of the concept of borders of the La Tène world.