New findings from a 2,600-year-old grave in Germany
suggest the Celts were much more sophisticated than previously thought. Not far
from the Heuneburg, the site of an early Celtic settlement, researchers in 2010
stumbled upon the elaborate grave of a Celtic princess. In addition to gold and
amber, they found a subterranean burial chamber fitted with massive oak beams..
The discovery could change history’s view of the
Celts. Roman writers in particular described the heterogeneous people as
barbaric, only excelling in violence and war. But that's a distorted view,
according to Dirk L. Krausse from Baden-Wurttemberg's state office for historic
preservation.
"There's also a bit of propaganda involved,
since the Celts conquered Rome in the year 387 B.C., so they couldn't have been
so primitive," Krausse explained. The findings at the Heuneburg near
Hundersingen also indicate that the Celts living in the upper Danube region
were more advanced than previously thought.
Researchers are hoping to learn more about the Celts'
wars of domination ~ one of the greatest mysteries of central European history
~ specifically why the Celts were advancing quickly from the sixth century B.C.
until the birth of Christ and then abruptly disappeared from the scene.
Image is artist rendition of 2,500-year-old Celtic warriors.
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