The first major exhibition in 40 years
of the Art, History and Culture of the Celts. The National Museum of Scotland
in collaboration with the British Museum London – tells the story of the Celts
over 2,500 years.
Now at the British museum and from March 2016
at the National museum Scotland.
In 2009, four gold torcs were found at
Blair Drummond Stirling by David Booth (first tiw with metal detector!). The
four torcs made between 300 and 100 BC show connections across Iron Age Europe
– two are spirally ribbons, characteristics of Scotland and Ireland. The other
two show French and Mediterranean style. The word Celtic still resonates today
in politics, religion and identity.
The Celts were people in Iron Age and Medieval Europe
who spoke Celtic languages and had cultural similarities. Celtic culture
diversified into that of the Gaels (Irish, Scottish and Manx) and the Brythonic
Celts (Welsh, Cornish, and Bretons) of the medieval and modern periods. During
the Renaissance, 1700, it was used to describe the cultures of Brittany,
Ireland, Scotland.
Notably here in Glasgow for the biggest world folk
festival Celtic Connections. (no
mention on the museum’s site). Where have all these exhibits been hiding all these
years – in museum basements?
The British museum states the Celts are not one
genetic race – I am not sure I understand what they mean? Were the Vikings or
Romans one genetic race? For me it is more about sense of place, culture,
heritage and history.
