Archæology of Celtic Art

Dennis W. Harding:
THE ARCHÆOLOGY OF CELTIC ART (2007)

Tempering the much adopted art-historical approach, Harding argues for a broader definition of Celtic art. Contrary to recent attempts to deconstruct the Celts as an ethnic entity altogether, he argues that there were communities in Iron Age Europe thatwere identified historically as Celts, regarded themselves as Celtic, or who spoke Celtic languages, and that the art of these communities may reasonably be regarded as Celtic art. Though the La Tène styles represent the summation of achievement of Celtic art, the origin and geographical distribution of Celtic art extend well beyond the La Tèneculture zone.

Though art-historical considerations remain essential, Harding shows that Celtic artshould also be viewed within its broader archaeological context. From Central Europe to the Atlantic west, Celtic art was essentially a social and political art, as well as a religious art, and a medium through which identity could be asserted. It was fundamentally embedded in Celtic society, custom and belief. This new study will beindispensable for anyone wanting to take a fresh and innovative perspective on Celtic art.

Dennis W. Harding is Abercromby Professor of Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh. His most recent book The Iron Age in Northern Britain was published in 2004.

Contents

01. Definitions, material and context
02. ‘An art with no genesis’: later Bronze Age and Hallstatt origins
03. The La Tène Early Styles: origins and influences
04. The La Tène developed styles
05. The art of the swordsmith
06. The La Tène later relief styles
07. Insular British art to the Roman Conquest
08. La Tène and non-La Tène in Ireland
09. South-West Europe and the Celtiberians
10. Later styles and Romanizing influences
11. Later insular art in Britain and Ireland
12. Conclusions: archaeology and Celtic art