About the Celts

The Celts are the first nation in our territory that we know by name. They appeared in the 5th century BC in an area encompassing the Czech Basin, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and eastern France. From there, they spread to virtually all of Europe. The Celtic era is called the Late Iron Age or the La Tène period (named after the La Tène site in Switzerland). This epoch ends at the turn of the millennium, when Germanics from the north and Romans from the south push part of the Celts westward to Britain and Ireland, where their culture persisted the longest. The Celts were excellent farmers, craftsmen, and warriors who brought us many technological innovations. They commonly lived in lowlands in unfortified villages, craft and trade centers, or independent farmsteads. Only at the beginning and end of their era did they build elevated fortified settlements.