Celts in the Czech lands

The Celts and their culture on the territory of the modern-day Czech Republic represent a very important topic in Czech prehistory and archaeology. Although the ethnic origin of the Celts and the geographic extent of their territory remain a subject of debates, contemporary scholarship regards the Czech lands as a part of their original homeland. This hypothesis is supported by their uniform material culture, as well as various place names (Chrudim, Doksy, etc.) and names of rivers (the Elbe). The Latin name Bohemia is traditionally derived from the name of the Celtic tribe of Boii, who allegedly lived on parts of the Czech territory.

Herodotus of Halicarnassus introduced the Celts into historiography in the 5^th century BC as barbarians living near the source of the Danube. They and other, now unknown ethnic groups, had appeared north of the Alps much earlier, probably as early as the middle of the 2^nd millennium BC. In the late 6^th and especially in the 5^th centuries, the region went through a social, economic and cultural renaissance. Fortified settlements gradually disappeared, the density of settlements increased, agriculture developed, as well as mining and crafts. Similarly to West Europe, mighty hill forts and fortified courts were built on the Czech territory as well. At the same time, magnificent graves of leading figures covered by large burial mounds appear.

The following four centuries are labelled as the Late Iron Age, or the La Tène period. An entirely new, uniform artistic and life style appeared. Society was led military bands and the religious class (druids). Scholars suppose that strong tribal unions were formed at the time. In the late 5^th and the early 4^th centuries BC, Celtic tribes began expanding southwards to Italy, eastwards to the Carpathian Basin, to the Balkans and Thrace, and even to Asia Minor.

From the 2^nd century BC to the middle of the 1^st century BC, there is evidence of large fortified complexes, oppida (Závist near Dolní Břežany, Stradonice near Beroun, Třísov, etc.).

The La Tène period brought to the Czech lands both material and spiritual wealth. Crafts and agriculture were improved by new production processes and tools. Jewellery-making reached its pinnacle, as well as pottery and glass-making. The Celts were also the first barbarian peoples that began minting their own coins for trade.

Beyond any doubt, the La Tène period was the culmination of prehistoric social and economic development in the Czech lands. Representatives of the Celtic peoples were driven out by the Germanic tribes, although it is likely that the common people remained.