EaRlY ChRiStIaN IrElAnD


Many beautiful objects from this time exist. Exquisite metalwork such as crosses, chalices and brooches have luckily been found. These help historians to understand the work that was done by the monks and nuns and the objects they used.


Fig 3.3 Cross of Cong


3 B. Irish Society before the Arrival of Christianity


People have been living in Ireland since roughly 6000 BC. During the Stone Age, amazing tombs and structures were built, like Newgrange and the Proleek Dolmen. More people arrived into Ireland during the Bronze and Iron Ages. They brought with them new ideas and influences. Around 500 BC the Celts arrived in Ireland. There are many opinions on how and why the Celts came here. Some believe that they came from southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland and conquered the Bronze Age people living in Ireland. However, there is no evidence to suggest there was ever an invasion. What we do know is that tribes from central Europe were known as Keltoi by the Greeks and Gauls by the Romans. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans could see any differences between the tribes in northern Europe and so they called all the tribes in the north by the one name.


The artwork of the Celts from La Tène in Switzerland is the same as the spirals and floral designs typical of the Irish Celts. After 500 BC the Celts became the dominant culture here. The main reason they became so powerful is that they used iron instead of bronze. Iron metal was as hard as bronze but it was much easier to find.


Tin (used to make bronze) was quite rare and had to be brought in from southern England. Iron ore deposits (from which iron is made) were much more widespread. This meant that it was widely used throughout Europe. For this reason the period between 500 BC and AD 400 is known as the Iron Age.


Fig 3.4 A map of Europe showing La Tène and the modern Celtic fringe


Weblink


For a video from an exhibition in the British Museum, search online using the following terms: British Museum – behind – the – scenes – Celtic –objects – curators


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