EUROPA - National Archaeological Discove

This year's EUROPA stamps, which the member states of the Organization of European Postal Operators (PostEurop) issue once a year on a common theme, are dedicated to the topic of “National Archaeological Discoveries”. Liechten-stein is participating with a joint printing of two special stamps “Stag (left)” and “Warriors (right)” (face value CHF 1.90 each).

The subjects used are four of a total of ten votive figures. The solid cast bronze figures were found in 1932 in redeposit-ed layers on the south-eastern slope of the Gutenberg castle hill in Balzers. They date from the Late Iron Age (500-100 BC) and are unique in their thematic composition. Together with compact layers of ash and animal bones, the figurines point to a nearby cremation site. Historians assume that the figures were offered there as symbolic sacrifices to a super-natural power.

The Gutenberg votive statuettes show influences from the Celtic and Rhaetian cultures and can be assigned to the three themes of war, fertility and animals. The very different quality of the depictions and the inconsistent composition of the bronze indicate different workshops and production times.