Evidence of largest known Celtic settlement discovered in Austria

Archeologists in western Austria discovered evidence of the largest known Celtic settlement, including fire pits, tools and different cookware dating to 2 A.D. and 3 A.D.

The items were unearthed during a dig not far from a national highway near Linz, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Vienna, the team said in a statement.

Archeologists began excavating in the area in June after construction crews building a highway bypass came across signs of Celtic and Roman habitation, said Heinz Gruber, an official in charge of preserving monuments and other historical treasures in the province of Upper Austria.

The dig unearthed iron blades, hunting weapons fashioned from bone, cooking pottery and other items tentatively dated to 2 B.C. and 1 B.C., Gruber said. The team also found fire pits and areas where Celts buried their garbage.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area to guard against theft, the AP reports.