Coming Of The Celts
Archaeologists are not sure how iron came to Ireland. They are also not sure when the Celts came to Ireland. They came from La Téne and Hallstatt in the middle of Europe. They were warriors and Farmers
Houses
Ring Forts
Ring Forts were areas enclosed by on or more earthen banks and ditches and were circular in shape. People lived in ring forts up until the 12th century. Over 40,000 examples of these have been found.
Ring Forts were built by digging a ditch and using the earth and stone t build up walls to form a circular bank. A timber or wattle fence was constructed on the banks . inside the ring, one or more houses were built that had timber or wattle and daub walls, thatched roofs and a hearth in the the centre of the floor. Smaller buildings in the ring fort were used for storing food or animal shelter.
Souterrains were built under some of the houses. These were under ground passages or tunnels that went under the earthen bank and led to the outside. Archaeologists have suggested that they were used for storing food because they were cool, and as hiding places or escape passages when the ring fort was attacked
Ring Forts were built by digging a ditch and using the earth and stone t build up walls to form a circular bank. A timber or wattle fence was constructed on the banks . inside the ring, one or more houses were built that had timber or wattle and daub walls, thatched roofs and a hearth in the the centre of the floor. Smaller buildings in the ring fort were used for storing food or animal shelter.
Souterrains were built under some of the houses. These were under ground passages or tunnels that went under the earthen bank and led to the outside. Archaeologists have suggested that they were used for storing food because they were cool, and as hiding places or escape passages when the ring fort was attacked
Crannógs
Crannógs were fortified lake dwellings. Timber piles were driven into the lake bed in a circle and earth, sods, stones and timber were thrown in to create an artificial island. A timber platform was built on top of this, with a timber or wattle fence around the platform. Houses similar to those in the ring forts were built on top of the plat form.
Hill Forts
Hill forts were built on a prominent site on a hill. they were similar in shape to ring forts but much larger. Excavations show no evidence that people lived in them. Archaeologists think that they were said mainly for ceremonial or religious purpose
Promontory Forts
Promontory forts were built on headlands or cliffs edge. Most of them were built along the west and south coasts of Ireland. They were surrounded by stone banks on three sides, or the headland could could be cut of the cliff by earthen banks.there is no evidence that people have lived these forts either. They were probably for ceremonial or religious purposes.
Family, Food and Work
The Celtic Society
Celtic society was divided into kingdoms. Each kingdom, or tuath, had its own King( rí). The king was selected from the family , or derbhfine. He had to lead and protect his tribe.
Below the king were nobles, commoners and slaves .
Among the nobles were warriors and the Aos Dána (people with special skills).
The warriors had to fight for the tribe. They also hunted and feasted and rented land and cattle to the farmers. The warrioroften led cattle raids.
the Aos Dána were highly respected because of their special skills. They include
(i) JUDGES; who knew the brehon laws and gave judgements on them.
(ii) DRUIDS (priests); who presided over sacrifices and the worship of the gods.
(iii) FILÍ (poets); who praised the historyand tradition of the tribe in their poetry.
(iv) Craftsmen, for example carpentersand metal workers.
The commoners were farmers, who produced food for their tribe. They worked the land and herded cattle which they rented from nobles.
The lowest group in the celtic society was he slaves. The slaves were captured from other tribes . They did most of the work on the farms and served the kings and warriors.
The women of the kingdom had to spin wool, cook the food and rear children.
Below the king were nobles, commoners and slaves .
Among the nobles were warriors and the Aos Dána (people with special skills).
The warriors had to fight for the tribe. They also hunted and feasted and rented land and cattle to the farmers. The warrioroften led cattle raids.
the Aos Dána were highly respected because of their special skills. They include
(i) JUDGES; who knew the brehon laws and gave judgements on them.
(ii) DRUIDS (priests); who presided over sacrifices and the worship of the gods.
(iii) FILÍ (poets); who praised the historyand tradition of the tribe in their poetry.
(iv) Craftsmen, for example carpentersand metal workers.
The commoners were farmers, who produced food for their tribe. They worked the land and herded cattle which they rented from nobles.
The lowest group in the celtic society was he slaves. The slaves were captured from other tribes . They did most of the work on the farms and served the kings and warriors.
The women of the kingdom had to spin wool, cook the food and rear children.
Food
Food was produced on farms, where cattle, sheep and pigs were also kept. Some cattle Some cattle were killed in Autumn and salted, so the meat could be eaten in the winter. Cows provided Milk, butter and cheese.
Wheat, oats and barley were grown. The grain was used to make porridge and bread. The barley was used to make ale.
the grain was ground in a rotary quern, which replaced the saddle stone.
The meat was cooked on spits or in fulachta fiadh. The bread was baked in stone ovens.
Wheat, oats and barley were grown. The grain was used to make porridge and bread. The barley was used to make ale.
the grain was ground in a rotary quern, which replaced the saddle stone.
The meat was cooked on spits or in fulachta fiadh. The bread was baked in stone ovens.
Feasting
Feasting was important in the life of the nobles. Feasts were held to celebrate victory in battle. Warrior boasted about their fighting skills, which led to challenge by other warriors. The bravest of the warriors was entitled to the best part of the animal, This was called heros portion.
Tool And Weapons
The Celts used Iron tools and weapons. In Ireland, iron ore wasa more widely availlible than copper. Iron was also harder and stronger
the tools an weapons that they used for fighting and farming were axes, sword, spearheads and arrowheads
the tools an weapons that they used for fighting and farming were axes, sword, spearheads and arrowheads
Celtic Art
The celts brought a new style of art called La Téne to Ireland. It consisted of curved lines, florals and spiral. They used these decorations on iron, bronze, gold and stone
Burials
In Ireland the Celts cremated their dead and put them in jars in the ground or in cist grave. They also buried grave goods with them.
Later, The Celts made ogham stones and archaeologists thin k these were used to mark graves or land boundaries.
Later, The Celts made ogham stones and archaeologists thin k these were used to mark graves or land boundaries.
Ogham writing
Ogham writing is the first form of writing in Ireland. It was on the side of standing stones. It was made up of a number of strokes engraved on the rocks. There was 20 letters in the alphebet.
