The Celts
The civilization and culture of the Celts still arouses true fascination, not only among scientists.
The settlement of Celtic tribes, as well as peoples under their influence, are identified by archaeologists with the La Tene culture. In the course of an expansion that covered vast areas of Europe, from the Atlantic to Asia Minor, the people of this culture also reached the area of southern Poland at the end of the 5th century BC. In Lower Silesia, they inhabited areas of fertile soils between the Bystrzyca and Oława rivers.
Commercial activities
Apart from modern agriculture, which developed thanks to the introduction of iron elements of ards and rotary burrs, the "Silesian" Celts were engaged in commercial activities.
It consisted, inter alia, of an intermediary between merchants from southern Europe and suppliers of various raw materials, including amber, from the north of the continent. Interestingly, they often used silver and gold coins as a means of payment, minted mainly in the centers of Celtic settlement in today's Czech Republic.
Craft
Craft was also developing intensively, and one of the most important innovations transferred to the territory of today's Poland was the use of a potter's wheel. Clay pots made with it were of high quality and aesthetic value.
Bronze and blacksmith workshops
It is also believed that thanks to the newcomers iron production appeared in Polish lands.
In turn, the products of advanced bronze and blacksmith workshops, in addition to meeting local needs, came to the areas of neighboring cultures, as the so-called imports. One of them could be an iron knife with a bronze handle in the shape of a bird's head, found in the grave of the Przeworsk culture.
Zapinka brązowa (3rd century BC) by unknownCity Museum of Wrocław
Clothing
The clothing of the "Silesian" Celts did not differ significantly from the typical attire of representatives of the La Tene culture. Linen and woolen clothes were fastened with one or more bronze or iron brooches.
Fragment żelaznego pasa łańcuchowego (2nd century BC) by unknownCity Museum of Wrocław
Some girded themselves with iron or bronze chain belts, which were also a sign of social status.
Both sexes had a common passion for ornaments such as bronze bracelets, armlets, anklets and necklaces.
Torkwes (4th century BC) by unknownCity Museum of Wrocław
Torques
As in the whole of Central Europe, among the necklaces, bronze or golden, stiff, open hoops with decorative ends, the so-called torqueses, were distinctive.
Torques
Initially, they were signs of dignity and feminine ornaments, and from around the 3rd century BC became a popular attribute.
An important place in Celtic mythology was occupied by the bear, hence the teeth and claws of the 'king' of European animals were doubly valuable ornaments, due to the difficulty of obtaining them.
Weapons
As in other areas occupied by the La Tene culture, the basic weapons in Lower Silesia were long, straight, double-edged swords as well as spears and javelins.
The warrior was protected by oval wooden shields with iron fittings. All of these objects are found in quite large numbers in male graves, which may be considered a manifestation of the otherwise well-known wariness of the local Celts as well. With time, there was a custom of ritualistic destruction (bending or breaking) elements of armament placed in the grave, which was apparently intended to prevent their use by other people.
Graves
The skeletal rite typical of the Celts in the period in question was dominant in the examined cemeteries.
The dead were placed in rectangular graves in a supine position. They were equipped with a complete outfit and ornaments. Warriors were usually buried in full armor. In addition, everyday objects were deposited in the graves, and clay vessels containing food and drinks were placed next to the deceased's head.
The disappearance of the La Tene culture in Lower Silesia took place during the 2nd century BC as a result of the assimilation or the displacement of the existing inhabitants to the area of Upper Silesia by the Germanic population of the Przeworsk culture coming from the north. Nevertheless, many elements of the Celtic culture will be practiced between Bystrzyca and Oława until the beginning of CE.
It is only up to us whether the memory of the brave warriors and skillful craftsmen who once inhabited our region will survive.
Paweł Madera
