Lyla Lindsey
Austria's history is a rich tapestry that dates back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age), with the first traces of human settlement discovered in the territories of Austria. Over the centuries, Austria has witnessed the rise and fall of various civilisations, including the Celts, Romans, and Germanic tribes. The name Ostarrîchi or Austria emerged in 996 AD, and the country has since undergone numerous transformations, from being a prefecture of Bavaria to an independent duchy, and eventually, a powerful empire within the Holy Roman Empire. The Austrian Empire, established in 1804, became a significant force in Europe, playing a pivotal role in the Napoleonic Wars and shaping the political landscape of the continent. However, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 marked a turning point, leading to World War I and the subsequent collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, Austria stands as a federal state with a rich cultural heritage and a thriving democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First traces of human settlement | Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age) |
| Oldest intact mummy discovered | 5,300 years old |
| First unified state | End of the first millennium |
| Duchy | 1156 |
| Archduchy | 1453 |
| Austrian Empire | 1804-1867 |
| First Republic of Austria | 1919-1933 |
| Member of the European Union | 1995 |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's first traces of human settlement date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age)
- The Hallstatt culture, which existed from c. 600 BCE, is the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe
- The Roman Empire conquered the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum in 16 BCE and made it a province until 476 CE
- From the 6th century CE, Germanic tribes, including the Bavarii, occupied the lands south of the Danube
- In the 13th century, the House of Habsburg began ruling Austria, which lasted until 1918
Austria's first traces of human settlement date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age)
The first traces of human settlement in Austria date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period, also known as the Old Stone Age. The earliest evidence of human habitation in the region was discovered in the Repolust Cave at Badl, near Peggau in Styria, and dates back more than 250,000 years. These early inhabitants left behind stone and bone tools, pottery fragments, and mammalian remains.
During the Upper Paleolithic Period, which began around 50,000 years ago, there was a marked increase in the diversity of artefacts associated with modern human remains. This period saw the emergence of organised settlements, with campsites, storage pits, and artistic expressions such as cave paintings and carvings. Evidence suggests that anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) first appeared in Africa around 300,000 years ago and gradually dispersed throughout Eurasia, potentially contributing to the decline of the Neanderthal population.
In Austria, the site of Willendorf is particularly significant. Here, archaeologists have found evidence of early modern human presence dating back approximately 43,500 years. This discovery is notable as it overlaps with the presence of Neanderthal remains in the same region, indicating potential interactions and cultural exchanges between the two species. The Venus of Willendorf, a figurative representation of a woman, is one of the oldest pieces of art discovered in Austria and is now exhibited at the Natural History Museum in Vienna.
The history of Austria is long and complex, with various cultures and civilisations succeeding one another. The area that is now Austria was settled by Celtic tribes in pre-Roman times, and the city of Hallstatt has the oldest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe. In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, the Hallstatt culture developed, and the region became known as the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum. This kingdom was eventually conquered by the Roman Empire in 16 BC, and the lands south of the Danube became a province called Noricum until 476.
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The Hallstatt culture, which existed from c. 600 BCE, is the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe
The Hallstatt culture, which existed from around 600 BCE, is the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe. The name Hallstatt comes from a lakeside village in the Austrian Salzkammergut, southeast of Salzburg, where there was a rich salt mine. The site is located on the west bank of Lake Hallstatt in Upper Austria, and it gave its name to the principal culture of the Early Iron Age, dating from around 1000 to 500 BCE.
The Hallstatt culture is often described as a proto-Celtic culture due to its cultural similarities with later Iron Age peoples in Europe. It is commonly associated with Proto-Celtic-speaking populations and is considered the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe. The culture spanned from western Austria and southern Germany to Switzerland and eastern France, eventually developing into what we now refer to as the ancient Celts.
The Hallstatt culture is known for its advanced lifestyle, trade connections, and rich archaeological finds. The site has revealed evidence of a thriving salt industry, with imports of luxury goods from the North and Baltic Seas to Africa discovered in the cemetery at Hallstatt. The village also had a rich collection of artefacts, with around 1,300 burials, many containing fine artefacts.
The Hallstatt culture is divided into four periods, from Hallstatt A and B, which are considered Late Bronze Age, to Hallstatt C and D, which are associated with the Iron Age. The culture developed out of the Urnfield culture of the 12th century BCE and was followed by the La Tène culture, which became dominant from around 450 to 50 BCE.
The principal archaeological remains of the Hallstatt culture include fortified buildings and tombs, indicating the presence of local princes and aristocracies that controlled the economic resources of their tribes. These sites, often called 'princely seats', were typically located on hilltops and showed evidence of narrow streets lined with small residences and larger timber homes.
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The Roman Empire conquered the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum in 16 BCE and made it a province until 476 CE
The history of Austria dates back to ancient times, with the first traces of human settlement found in the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age). In the Neolithic Period, a frozen human body, nicknamed "Ötzi," was discovered in the Ötztal Alps, dating back approximately 5,300 years.
In the late Iron Age, around 800 to 400 BC, the area that is now Austria was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture. The Romans referred to this region as the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which included most of modern-day Austria and parts of modern-day Slovenia.
In 16 BCE, the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum and established the province of Noricum, which lasted until 476 CE. This marked the beginning of Roman rule in the region, bringing prosperity and Romanization to the local population. The city of Carnuntum, in modern-day Lower Austria, became the centre of Roman settlements in Austria and the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia.
During the Migration Period in the 6th century, various Germanic tribes, such as the Bavarii, invaded and occupied the former Noricum province. This period witnessed struggles between different ethnic groups, including the Bavarians, Slavs, and Avar rulers. The Bavarians, politically influenced by the Franks, played a significant role in shaping the region's history.
Over time, the name "Ostarrîchi" or "Österreich" in Old High German, meaning "eastern realm," came into use for the region. This name first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" in 996 AD, marking the transition from a Celtic kingdom to a prefecture of Bavaria. The word "Austria" is a Latinisation of the German name and was first recorded in the 12th century.
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From the 6th century CE, Germanic tribes, including the Bavarii, occupied the lands south of the Danube
The history of Austria dates back to ancient times, with the first traces of human settlement in the region dating from the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age). Over the centuries, various tribes and groups have occupied the lands that make up modern-day Austria.
In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, the region was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who established the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum. This kingdom encompassed most of modern-day Austria and parts of modern-day Slovenia. Subsequently, in 16 BC, the kingdom was conquered by the Roman Empire, becoming a province known as Noricum until 476.
During the Migration Period in the 6th century, Germanic tribes, including the Bavarii, occupied the lands south of the Danube. The Bavarii, also known as the Baiuvarii, were a Germanic people who lived in and around present-day southern Bavaria, which is named after them. They began to appear in records in the 6th century and are considered the predecessors of the medieval Duchy of Bavaria and Margraviate of Austria in terms of culture, language, and political institutions.
The early presence of the Bavarii in the 6th century is supported by various sources and pieces of evidence. The first mention of the Bavarii in written records dates to the mid-6th century, placing them in the foothills north of the Alps, on both sides of the Danube. Their name, Bavarii or Baiuvarii, is believed to be derived from "citizens of Bohemia" or "men from Bohemia," indicating a connection to the Bohemian region. This etymology suggests that the Bavarii may have settled in the region after the Celtic Boii, who previously inhabited the area, had left.
The legal system of the Bavarii exhibited heavy Roman influence, and their unification occurred under a Duke installed by the Franks. The Frankish Table of Nations, dating from around 520, describes the Bavarii as having kinship with the Burgundians, Thuringians, and Lombards. Additionally, in his work "Getica" from 551, Jordanes mentions the migration of a Suebian people led by King Hunimund to the southern side of the Danube, where they lived among the Alemanni and Franks.
The Bavarii's culture and language also left a lasting impact on the region. By the 8th century, they were speakers of an early form of the Austro-Bavarian language within the West Germanic family. Their funerary traditions showed similarities to those of the Alemanni, and archaeological evidence revealed the presence of individuals with artificially deformed craniums in their cemeteries, suggesting the importance of exogamy within their culture.
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In the 13th century, the House of Habsburg began ruling Austria, which lasted until 1918
The history of Austria is deeply intertwined with the House of Habsburg, one of the most influential and long-lasting royal houses in European history. The Habsburgs' rise to power in Austria began in the 13th century and shaped the region's destiny for centuries to come.
In the year 1273, Rudolf I of Habsburg became the first Habsburg ruler of Austria. He was elected King of Germany and sought to strengthen his power base by acquiring territories in the region. Through a combination of strategic marriages and skillful politics, Rudolf gained control of the Duchy of Austria, which marked the beginning of the Habsburgs' dominance in the area.
The House of Habsburg ruled Austria continuously from the 13th century until the end of World War I in 1918. During this time, they transformed Austria into a powerful and influential state within the Holy Roman Empire. The Habsburgs were known for their effective governance, cultural patronage, and expansionist policies, which led to the acquisition of additional territories and the establishment of a vast empire.
The Habsburg Empire reached its peak in the 16th century, encompassing not only Austria but also significant portions of Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary, Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic), parts of Italy, and the Low Countries. This era witnessed the flourishing of art and culture, with the Habsburgs patronizing renowned artists such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder and architects like Donato Bramante.
However, the empire also faced challenges, including religious divisions and conflicts with rival powers such as the Ottoman Empire. The Reformation and the subsequent Counter-Reformation had a profound impact on the region, shaping the religious landscape and contributing to social and political tensions. Despite these challenges, the House of Habsburg remained a formidable force in European politics and diplomacy until the end of World War I.
In the aftermath of the war, the defeat of the Central Powers, which included Austria-Hungary, brought about significant changes. The empire was dissolved, and the Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed in 1918, marking the end of Habsburg rule. The Treaty of Versailles further reduced the territory of Austria, solidifying the end of the Habsburgs' long and influential reign over the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The first traces of human settlement in Austria date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age). In 1991, a frozen human body dating from the Neolithic Period (New Stone Age) was discovered at the Hauslabjoch pass in the Ötztal Alps on the Italian-Austrian border. The body, nicknamed Ötzi, was 5,300 years old, making it the oldest intact mummy ever discovered.
The native name for Austria, Österreich, derives from the Old High German Ostarrîchi, which meant "eastern realm". This name first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" in 996 AD. The word "Austria" is a Latinisation of the German name and was first recorded in the 12th century.
The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a multinational European power from 1804 to 1867. It was created by Francis II in response to Napoleon's declaration of the First French Empire. The Austrian Empire was the third most populous monarchy in Europe and the third largest in terms of geography.
