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Definition
Druid
Druids were a class of individuals in ancient Celtic cultures known for their great wisdom and knowledge of traditions. Not only priests who managed all religious rituals such as sacrifices (including humans), druids were able to give practical...
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Female Deity, Gundestrup Cauldron
A detail of the gilded silver Gundestrup Cauldron showing a female Celtic deity. Likely 1st century BCE, produced in the Balkans but found in Denmark in 1891 CE. (National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen)
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Twisted Torc of the Stirling Hoard
This twisted torc is one of four Stirling Hoard torcs discovered in Stirlingshire, Scotland in 2009. The torcs had been buried shallowly in a Roundhouse near current day Blair Drummond. It is unclear whether they were buried as an offering...
Definition
Lugh
Lugh (also Lug, Luga) was one of the most important Celtic gods, particularly in Ireland, and he represented the sun and light. Although originating as an all-wise and all-seeing deity, Lugh was later thought of as a historical figure, great...
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Snettisham Great Torc Detail
A detail of the Snettisham Great Torc. Part of the Snettisham burial hoard found in Norfolk, England. Celtic, gold alloy, 150-50 BCE. Diameter 56 cm. (British Museum, London)
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Lochar Moss Torc
The Celtic Lochar Moss torc from Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Copper alloy, 1st-2nd century CE. Diameter: 16.5 cm. (British Museum, London)
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The Trichtingen Torc
The Trichtingen torc, discovered near the town of that name in Germany. Perhaps dating to the 2nd century BCE, it is made of silver-plated iron. It measures 29.5 cm (11.5 in) in diameter and weighs 6.7 kilos (14.8 lbs). Landesmuseum Württemberg...
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A Linguistical Analysis of Ancient Celtic Languages
The Celtic languages form a branch of the Indo-European (IE) language family. They derive from Proto-Celtic and are divided into Continental Celtic languages (Lepontic, Gaulish, Galatian, Noric, Celtiberian, Gallaecian) and Insular Celtic...
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Scene of Rebirth on the Gundestrup Cauldron
This scene from the interior of the Gundestrup Cauldron is usually interpreted as a scene of rebirth. On the bottom, a line of Celtic infantrymen march to a figure on the left of the register who is probably a war god. These infantrymen are...
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Cernunnos Rheims Relief
A 1st century CE bas-relief showing the Celtic god Cernunnos and Apollo (left) and Mercury (right). (Musée Saint-Remi, Rheims, France)