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Kelts
This
group of people
is also known as
Celts or Selts.
Kelts are members
of a group who
spoke various forms
of the Aryan language
known as Keltic,
or Celtic. People
were identified
as Kelts because
of the language
they spoke rather
the race to which
they belonged.
Ancient Kelts were
famous for their
wit, their love
of liberty, and
their bravery in
battle. They were
also known for
using bronze weapons.
Little is known of the Kelt's early
history. Found mainly in southwestern
Germany, they soon spread over
most of Western Europe and were
the first invaders of England around
800 BC. The Kelts invaded England,
an invasion which lasted several
hundred years, overwhelming the
Stone Age man. One group of the
Kelts, the Gaels established their
language and culture in Scotland
and then crossed to Ireland. Another
group, known as the Britons, occupied
most of the areas now known as
England and Wales. The Kelts gradually
became mixed with other races.
Eventually, they were destroyed
by the Romans or by the barbarians
who later rose to power in Europe.
In the end, only the Kelts in Ireland,
Britain, and Brittany remained.
It is well known that the Scythians,
who occupied the lands west of
the Carpathians Mountains, had
many influences on Keltic culture.
Body decoration, dress and methods
of warfare were some of these influences.
In a project started in 1947, Soviet
archaeologists unearthed the frozen
body of a 2,000 years old Scythian
warrior. This body was well tattooed
with fanciful animal designs.
The Kelts, and later the Britons,
were into body decoration and this
may explain the early spread of
tattooing into England.
Tattoo Archive © 1993
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