THE CELTS
CIVILIZED OR SAVAGE?
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WHILE YOU WATCH THE YOU TUBE CLIP
RECORD A MIND MAP FOR THE CELTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsrJcA4x
esg&feature=related
Contents
EVIDENCE FOR WARLIKE NATURE, written
and archaeological
EVIDENCE FOR CIVILIZED CULTURE,
written and archaeological
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Because what we call Celtic culture has existed
for more than 2,700 years, and has ranged across
much of central and northwestern Europe, it is
not easy to define in simple terms.
Further problems derive from the fact that it was
an oral society.
Most written sources are non Celtic, often from
writers who fought the Celts.
Archaeological evidence is fragmentary and often
contradicts the written sources.
No society is static. Any attempt to explain the
society must include change over time
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“The whole race….is war mad, and both high spirited and quick for battle,
although otherwise simple and not ill mannered”
The Geography, Strabo
“ Among them are to be found lyric poets whom they call bards. These men
sing to the accompaniment of instruments which are like
lyres….Philosophers…and men learned in religious affairs are unusually honoured”
Diodorus Siculus
“There were countless horns and trumpets being blown simultaneously in their
ranks and as the whole army was also shouting war cries, there arose such a
babel….Besides this aspect and the movements of the naked warriors in the
front ranks made a terrifying spectacle.” Polybius
“ the enemy showed such bravery that when their front ranks had fallen,
those immediately behind stood on their prostrate bodies.” Julius Caesar
“ When their enemies fall they cut off their heads and fasten them about the
necks of their horses….and these first fruits of battle they fasten by nails
upon their houses… The heads of their most distinguished enemies they embalm
in cedar oil and carefully preserve in a cherst, and these they exhibit to
strangers..” Diodorus Siculus
Using the information on pg93 explain the contextual bias of the above
writers. Can the information be regarded as useful?
Iron Age Begins 800 B.C.
Hallstatt Culture
Using the information on
pg96 explain how
History may impact on
the archaeological
record of the La Tene
period
Celts
Romans
Mycenae
New Kingdom
San Dai
1500
B.C.
1000
B.C.
500 B.C.
Empire
A.D 1
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"T he name Celt originated with the ancient Greeks, who
called the barbarian peoples of central Europe Keltoi.
Rather that being a broad cultural genetic 'race,' the Celts
were a broad cultural-linguistic group
The ancestors of the Celts were the people of the Urnfield
culture, so-called because they buried their dead in
cremation urns in flat ground. Between 1200 and 700 BC,
they spread westward from their eastern European
homeland into the area of modern Austria, Germany,
Switzerland, and France. Here, there culture developed into
a recognizably Celtic form. The earliest stage of Celtic
culture is called the Hallstatt, after a village in the Austrian
Salzkammergut where archeologists discovered important
artifacts. At hallstatt and other places with the 'hall' (salt)
name - Hallein, Helle, Schwabisch Hall - the Celts' wealth
was based upon salt extraction and sale. The technology of
iron, too, was embraced by innovative Celtic blacksmiths,
who produced the best metal in Europe, that was in great
demand outside Celtic Areas. An important two-way trade
READ PG 98-99 AND EXPLAIN THE DISTINCTIVE CONTRIBUTION OF
THE HALSTATT AGE TO THE CELTIC CULTURE?
By the seventh century BC, the Hallstatt people had become prosperous in
the salt and iron businesses. In around 650 BC, the Celts began to reexchange raids with the Greeks and Etruscans, elements of whose culture
they adopted. By adding and adapting Graeco-Etruscan elements to the
Hallstatt culture, the characteristically Celtic style of art came into being.
As a result of this, in northeastern France, Switzerland, and the middle
Rhine, a new stage of Celtic development took place.
Archeologists call it the early La Tene period, after the definitive
artifacts found at La Tene, on Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland. During the
Classical period of Greece and Rome, Celtic culture was predominant
north of the Alps. Celtic technicians of the La Tene period were technically
superior to their Greek and Roman counterparts. Their superior weaponry,
including a new type of sword, chain mail, and chariots, enabled the Celts
to mount military expeditions against neighboring tribes and nations,
including the Greeks and Romans. Celtic fighting men had such a good
reputation that they were in great demand as mercenaries. Caesar was
known to use Gallic cavalry in his victory over Pompey
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Iron Age site on the shores of Lake Neuchatel in western Switzerland,
discovered in 1857 when the water level in the lake was unusually low.
This revealed timber piles and a wide range of iron objects, especially
weapons.
Subsequent excavations by Emile Vouga between 1880 and 1885 and
William Wabre and Paul Vouga between 1907 and 1917 have resulted in
the recovery of a vast collection of objects, human skeletal material, and
further evidence for timber structures, but no certain evidence for the
purpose or nature of the site.
While some scholars see La Tène as a settlement, others interpret it a
timber platform on the edge of the lake, approached via timber causeways,
from which votive deposits and perhaps burials were made.
In support of this is the relative poverty of domestic debris from the site
and the abundance of high-quality iron and bronze weapons and personal
ornaments including: 166+ swords and scabbards, 269+ spearheads, 29
shields, 382+ brooches, and 158 belt clasps. In addition there is a bronze
cauldron, dart wheels, wooden buckets, and tools for metalworking,
woodworking, and leatherworking.
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spear
A long wooden pole with a
pointed steel head.
shield
Wooden piece of armor carried
on the arm to protect against
enemy blows.
breeches
Full pants that were
characteristic of Gallic attire;
they were pulled in at the waist
with a belt and tied at the ankle
with straps.
helmet
Protective metal headpiece
decorated with depictions of
animals, horns or bird wings
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The archeological site of La Tene is on the northern
edge of Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland. The name of this
site gives its name to the cultures of the late Iron Age in
Europe with the earliest being in he sixth century. The
people associated with this culture are the most
successful people, commonly known as the Celts, and
this site is a representative site for the Celtic
development and expansion.
La Tene was discovered in 1857 by Hansli Kopp. What
Kopp found at the site was ancient iron weapons and
timber piles driven into the bed of the lake. Between the
years of 1860 and 1880 the lake was dredged and drained,
exposing human remains, swords, spearheads,
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Routines of daily life varied greatly from region to region
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Best evidence comes from Gaul (France)
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“Heroic” warrior chiefs
Warrior nobility
“Men of art” (craftsmen, bards, druids)
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Chiefdoms were “portable”
Organization
Embedded economy based on farming and animal
husbandry
Political identity based on kinship
Roman evidence of idiosyncratic behavior
Boys could not be seen in the presence of their fathers until they
were adults (~14-15) (Julius Caesar)
 Homosexuality, especially between men and un-related boys, was
common (Athenaeus)
 Read pg102-105.Summarize the different social and political
structures mentioned by the ancient and modern authors. How
do witness 9,10 help to resolve the different views of the
ancients?
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Romans described Celts
as “giants”
Women have greater
social importance
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Polyandry?
Most Celtic burials
reveal hard deaths
(injuries, infections)
“Warrior Surgeon”
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Buried with weapons and
medical equipment
Trephining saw
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Celtic women could own
property, divorce their
husbands, and were often
engaged in the political,
intellectual, spiritual and
judicial aspects of their
communities. As wives, they
were not segregated in their
homes, as were Greek
women, and had greater
freedom of movement than
Roman matrons. Although
they were still subject to
their husbands’ authority,
since the Celts were a
warrior culture, this was
balanced by a right to equal
justice.
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Celtic women were powerful queens as
well. The most famous warrior-queen
was Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni on the
southeast coast of Britain, who led a
rebellion against the Governor Suetonius
and by extension the Emperor Nero in
60/61 C.E. She succeeded in uniting
several tribes and these laid waste to
modern-day Colchester, Saint-Albans and
London, where she was vanquished at
the Battle of Watling Street. She poisoned
herself to avoid capture.
Supplement your
notes from pg123124
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Social power was often cemented and
transferred through generous acts 
feasting, prestige goods
“The keltoi would often exchange a
slave for an amphora of wine” –
Diodorus
Most warfare was internecine war
between clans
Eventually, Celtic groups would band
to fight against the Romans
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Celtic warriors sought personal glory
Roman warfare was business
USING INFORMATION ON PAG125 EXPLAIN
WHY DINING WAS SO IMPORTANT TO CELTIC
MALES. SUPPORT WITH EVIDENCE
WARRIORS OR ARTISTS?
READ PGS117-121. BRIEFLY
DESCRIBE LA TENE CELTIC
ART. SUPPORT FROM THE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
RECORD
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The Carnyx was a long Celtic
trumpet made of beaten bronze
and held vertically so that the
sound travels from more than
three metres above the ground.
It was known through much of
Europe from about 200BC to
200AD and was widely depicted
- notably on the Gundestrup
bowl which shows three
carnyces being played
simultaneously. The best
surviving part of a carnyx was
found in North East Scotland
and exhibits local design
elements. The end of the
instrument is in the form of a
wild boar's head, and it has a
movable tongue and lower jaw.
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“On the other hand the fine order and the noise of
the Celtic host terrified the Romans; for there
were countless trumpeters and horn blowers and
since the whole army was shouting its war cries at
the same time there was such a confused sound
that the noise seemed to come not only from the
trumpeters and the soldiers but also from the
countryside which was joining in the echo. No less
terrifying were the appearance and gestures of
the naked warriors in front, all of whom were in
the prime of life and of excellent physique.”
READ PGS105-107. WRITE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CELTIC
WAREFARE. SUPPORT WITH EITHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR
WRITTEN EVIDENCE.
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Initially the chariot burials
were regarded as warrior
graves given the recorded
use of chariots as weapons
of war
The discovery of a female
chariot burial begs the
investigation of a broader
significance for the chariot
in celtic culture.
Diodorus Siculus says
“In both journeys and battles
the Gauls use 2 horse
chariots which carry both
warrior and charioteer”
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Civilian transport: travelling,
moving persons from one
point to another.
Driving to battle: military
transport.
Representation: public
exhibition of high social
status.
Sports and recreation:
friendly physical
competition, entertainment
or peaceful conflict
resolution.
Mortuary ritual: a platform
to present, transport and lay
the dead to rest.
Vix, in northern France, is the
site of a burial of an Iron Age
“princess”.
 The burial took place around
500 B.C.
 The woman was on the bed of a
ceremonial cart, which was
placed in a large square
chamber in the ground.
 She was buried with a heavy
gold collar and the tomb was
filled with a wealth of exotic, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWz
funerary offerings.
WMiXRSXc
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INTERPRETATION???????????
WATCH THE YOUTUBE CLIP.DESCRIBE
THE 2 BURIALS AND WHAT THEY
REVEAL ABOUT CELTIC CULTURE.
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The Celtic Druids and Early Christianity
The Celtic Druids A druid was a member of the priestly
and learned class in the ancient Celtic societies of
Western Europe, Britain and Ireland. They were
suppressed by the Roman government and disappear
from the written record by the second century CE.
Druids combined the duties of priest, judge, scholar, and
teacher.
The Celtic communities that Druids served were
polytheistic. They also show signs of animism, in their
reverence for various aspects of the natural world, such
as the land, sea and sky, and their veneration of other
aspects of nature, such as sacred trees and groves (the
oak and hazel were particularly revered), tops of hills,
streams, lakes and plants such as the mistletoe. Fire was
regarded as a symbol of several divinities and was
associated with cleansing. Purported ritual killing and
human sacrifice were aspects of druidic culture that
shocked classical writers
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Druids represented an
upper class of
“educated” priests
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No texts, so little
understanding of their
methods/beliefs
The stereotypical idea
of druids is mostly
accurate
Human and animal
sacrifice very common
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People often stabbed or
shot; then druids would
“divine the future” by
watching how people
died
Cauldrons used to catch
blood from dying victims
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"They cut off the heads of enemies ...
and attach them to the necks of their
horses. Singing in triumph as they
carried off these trophies, they nailed
them upon their houses. They
embalm in cedar oil the heads of the
most distinguished enemies, and
preserve them carefully in a chest,
and display them with pride to
strangers ... Gathering in a
chieftain's hall, sitting cross-legged
on wolf skin, they would consume
prodigious portions of wild boar.
And guzzle wine, beer, or mead until
they fell 'into a stupor or a state of
madness.'"
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Epona: Gallic horse goddess with
fertility aspects. The horse was a
major symbol of energy, power and
fertility.
Sequana: Goddess of the Seine. Her
totem bird was the duck.
Morrigan (Phantom Queen):
Goddess of war and vengeance,
magic and prophecy. Usually seen
in the guise of a crow or raven near
battlefields. Sometimes she would
appear as an old woman washing
the bloody clothes of a warrior who
was going to die. In one tale,
she (death goddess) mates with the
Dagda (god of life) on Samhain,
representing the great universal
forces at work.
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Cernunnos: ‘The horned one,’ lord
of animals. He is shown wearing
deer antlers and a torc. He holds a
torc in his right hand and a
serpent in his other hand. He is
associated with the ‘wild hunt’ in
which spirits of the dead were
carried to the Otherworld. He
controlled
the culling, purifying and health of
the herds.
Samhain: Celebrated on November 1st, the
most important festival, marking the start
of the Celtic year and the beginning of
winter.
Celebrated on the eve and day of
November 1, it coincides with the modern
Halloween, the barriers between the world
of the living
and that of the gods and the dead
(Otherworld) were thin
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Among the Celtic animal species the horse
was the only one whose meat was not
consumed. This was undoubtedly
connected with the special, privileged
status of the horse in the Celtic society. In
fact, this avoidance of horse meat was one
of the earliest in the world. It probably
meant that man did not want to eat the
meat of his close comrade-in-arms, an
animal species that was directly associated
with a goddess (Epona)
This special status of the horse is clearly
reflected in its remains too. The number of
horse bones is small in settlements (the
dead horses were probably buried outside
the settlements). The overwhelming
majority of the bones was complete and
unbroken and rarely showed cut marks.
Due to the ornamental nature of the
Gundestrup cauldron and its size it is often
assumed that the bowl was used for either
sacrificial or sacred purposes. It was found in
a peat bog in Denmark and was thought to be
either a trade item or more significantly a
royal gift
Use the informatio n on pg 93-94
describe the Gundestrup cauldron and
explain what it reveals about the celtic
culture
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From workshops in the late
Bronze and early Iron age to
the early Christian Era a
wealth of objects were
produced that changed the
course of history. Some of
these include the first
chainmail armour, seamless
iron rims for wheels, they
pioneered the iron plowshare,
and they gave shape to chisels
and saws, tin snips, and
hammers, and they were the
first to put Iron shoes on
horse's. Mastery over metal
was a hallmark of Celtic
civilisation.
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Both sexes loved jewelry:
brooches decorated with
gold filigree, cuttlefish shell,
garnets, lapis, and other
stones; buckles of gold
filigree and stones; pins and
linked pins with animalstyle decoration; necklaces of
amber, granulation and chip
carving. They wore torques,
pendants, bracelets, pins and
necklaces. The women
sometimes sewed little bells
on the fringed ends of their
tunics. The elaborate
intertwinings of their
artwork was a guard against
the evil eye or curses.
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=anDCaVb
na6U&feature=related
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The torc was a sign of
nobility and high social
status: a decoration
awarded to warriors for
their deeds in battle, as
well as a divine
attribute, since some
depictions of Celtic gods
wear one or more torcs.
Images of the god
Cernunnos wearing one
torc around his neck,
with torcs hanging from
his antlers or held in his
hand, have been found.
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Tomb 7 in the cemetery of MünchenObermenzing is an extraordinary monument
This cremation grave (La Tène C: thirdearly second century B.C.) contained the
weapons of a warrior who was also a
surgeon. The iron surgical instruments
included an unidentifiable Shaft, a
trephining-saw and a rounded-off
tenaculum with an eyelet handle, which
bears a remarkable resemblance to a
modern early twentieth-century probe. Going by modern standards, instruments of
the kind could have been used for
operating both on the body and on the skull
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READ PG 116 AND
EXPLAIN THE
EVIDENCE TO
SUPPORT
EFFECTIVE
FARMING SKILLS
AND TRADING
Use the eyewitness
quotes and exhibit 20
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The Continental Celtic calendar
as reconstructed from the
calendars of Coligny and
Villards d'Heria had the
following properties:
it was a lunisolar calendar,
attempting to synchronize the
solar year and the lunar month.
the months were lunar. Scholars
disagree as to whether the start
of the month was the new moon
or the full moon, or per Pliny
and Tacitus perhaps even the
First Quarter.
the common lunar year
contained 354 or 355 days.
“All the Gauls assert that they are descended from the god Dis, and say that this tradition has
been handed down by the Druids. For that reason they compute the divisions of every season, not
by the number of days, but of nights; they keep birthdays and the beginnings of months and
years in such an order that the day follows the night.” JULIUS CAESAR
http://video.google.com/videoplay?
docid=-7409751265593285094#
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During the Iron Age
around 500 B.C.,
fortifications were first
constructed around
growing villages placed
on hilltops.
Such hillforts had
administrative,
religious, economic, and
residential functions.
Occupation could have
been as high as 2,0004,000 people.
Large pits were dug for
storage, water
reservoirs, and other
purposes.
Similar to a middle eastern tell
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Aerial view of the
Heuneburg hillfort with
the Danube River in the
foreground
High status grave goods
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The hilltop was first used
around 3,700 B.C.
Maiden Castle was the center
of an elaborate landscape of
henge monuments and other
structures.
Some of the walls were as
high as 65 feet.
Over 20,000 slingshots were
found in caches near the
walls of the structure.
Maiden Castle fell to the
Roman legions and their
siege artillery in A.D. 43 after
intensive fighting.
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“The unifying factor in Celtic Europe in the first century B.C. was the
spread of the oppida, the first cities created by the Celts.”
oppida can be defined as follows: they were vast fortified sites
covering several dozen hectares, usually located on high ground.
Defense consisted of a rampart and a ditch. The ramparts were
continuous, and if necessary could take advantage of the natural
contours of the land
The fortifications contain large gateways, through which roads
lead to the center of the oppida. These roads then divide into streets
arranged according to various axes (Staré Hradisko in Moldavia).
The streets thus delimit "blocks" of public religious buildings, or
constructions containing residential and workshop areas. In fact it
would seem that specialized districts can be identified: areas
occupied by craftsmen, by the dwellings of the aristocracy, by
particular religious functions, or by certain trades (like the
enigmatic cross-shaped building discovered at Villeneuve-SaintGermain in France)
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The archaeologist uses the
help of science to determine
the origin of ceramics. The
provenance of ceramics, or
better of the clay it is made
of, can be exactly localized.
Different clay deposits
exhibit characteristic trace
element patterns, and
pottery made from that clay
carries its trace element
distribution as a fingerprint.
The trace element contents
are determined by neutron
activation analysis, the most
accurate method of trace
element analysis.
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USING THE POWERPOINT AND CHAPTER
HANDOUT, COMPOSE A TABLE OF
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE
FOLLOWING STATEMENT BY STRABO
“The whole race is war-mad, high-spirited
and quick to battle…”.