Celtic hillfort in Slovakia
Despite ongoing thefts at a Celtic hillfort in Slovakia, weekend prospecting helped us preserve some artifacts from the La Tène period.
Celts
The Celts were a group of people who originated in Central Europe and expanded across much of Western Europe during the Iron Age. They are known for their distinctive art, language, and culture. The Celtic civilization is divided into two main groups: the Continental Celts and the Insular Celts.
The Continental Celts inhabited regions such as modern-day France, Switzerland, Austria, and parts of Germany. They were known for their hillforts, metalworking skills, and elaborate art styles. The La Tène culture, characterized by intricate geometric designs and stylized representations of animals, is often associated with Continental Celts.
On the other hand, the Insular Celts lived in the British Isles, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England. The Insular Celts are often divided into two main groups: the Goidelic Celts (Gaels) and the Brythonic Celts. The Gaels are associated with Gaelic languages such as Irish and Scottish Gaelic, while the Brythonic Celts spoke languages like Welsh and Breton.
Celts in Slovakia
Celtic hillforts in Slovakia are an important part of the region's history and heritage. These hillforts date back to the Iron Age, the La Tène period, which lasted from around 450 BC to the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC.
The Celts, an Iron Age group from Central Europe, are believed to have constructed these hillforts. These structures, serving as defensive strongholds, community hubs, and trade centers, were typically made up of concentric walls and ditches with wooden structures.
One of Slovakia's most significant Celtic hillforts is the hillfort at Molpír in the Považie region. This hillfort dates back to the La Tène period and is an important archaeological site. Other notable hillforts include those at Detva, Pohanska, and Havránok.
Celtic hillforts in Slovakia offer valuable insights into the region's ancient past, including social organization, trade networks, and cultural practices. Archaeological excavations at these sites continue to shed light on the Celtic presence in the area and their interactions with neighboring peoples.
Detector Lady prospection in Slovakia
It was a wonderful spring weekend, and I went with my son to explore the Celtic fort in Slovakia. The weather was beautiful, and Slovak nature was one of the most magical. An archaeologist accompanied us, and we were a group of approximately thirty metal detectorists. It was a very demanding two days. The terrain on the fort was very steep, but we managed to find a lot of nice finds. This hillfort has a problem because it is often visited by prospectors who do not cooperate with the museum. That is why many finds from this place have already been stolen. Our goal was to save as many finds as possible. Watch the video that has English subtitles. It was a wonderful experience.