The Celts were an ethno-linguistic group of The Celts were an ethno-linguistic group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Medieval Europe who tribal societies in Iron Age and Medieval Europe who spoke Celtic languages and had a similar culture, spoke Celtic languages and had a similar culture, although the Relationship between the ethnic, although the Relationship between the ethnic, linguistic and cultural elements remains uncertain linguistic and cultural elements remains uncertain and controversial.and controversial.

The earliest archaeological culture that may justifiably be The earliest archaeological culture that may justifiably be considered as Proto-Celtic is the Late Bronze Age Urnfield culture considered as Proto-Celtic is the Late Bronze Age Urnfield culture of central Europe from the last quarter of the second millennium of central Europe from the last quarter of the second millennium BC. Their fully Celtic descendants in central Europe were the BC. Their fully Celtic descendants in central Europe were the people of the Iron Age Hallstatt culture named for the rich grave people of the Iron Age Hallstatt culture named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria.By the later La Tène period , this Celtic finds in Hallstatt, Austria.By the later La Tène period , this Celtic culture had expanded over a wide range of regions, whether by culture had expanded over a wide range of regions, whether by diffusion or migration: to the British Isles ,diffusion or migration: to the British Isles , France and The Low Countries, Bohemia,France and The Low Countries, Bohemia, Poland and much of Central Europe, the Poland and much of Central Europe, the Iberian Peninsula and northern Italy and Iberian Peninsula and northern Italy and following the Gallic invasion of the Balkansfollowing the Gallic invasion of the Balkans in 279 BC as far east as central Anatolia.in 279 BC as far east as central Anatolia.

The Celtic languages form a branch of the larger The Celtic languages form a branch of the larger Indo-European family. By the time speakers of Celtic Indo-European family. By the time speakers of Celtic languages enter history around 400 BC, they were languages enter history around 400 BC, they were already split into several language groups, and spread already split into several language groups, and spread over much of Western continental Europe, the Iberian over much of Western continental Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland and Britain.Peninsula, Ireland and Britain.

Some scholars think that the Urnfield culture of Some scholars think that the Urnfield culture of Western Middle Europe represents an origin for the Western Middle Europe represents an origin for the Celts as a distinct cultural branch of the Indo-Celts as a distinct cultural branch of the Indo-European family. European family.

This culture was preeminent in central This culture was preeminent in central Europe during the late Bronze Age, from ca. Europe during the late Bronze Age, from ca. 1200 BC until 700 BC, itself following the 1200 BC until 700 BC, itself following the Unetice and Tumulus cultures. The Urnfield Unetice and Tumulus cultures. The Urnfield period saw a dramatic increase in population period saw a dramatic increase in population in the region, probably due to innovations in in the region, probably due to innovations in technology and agricultural practices. The technology and agricultural practices. The Greek historian Ephoros of Cyme in Asia Greek historian Ephoros of Cyme in Asia Minor, writing in the 4th century BC, believed Minor, writing in the 4th century BC, believed that the Celts came from the islands off the that the Celts came from the islands off the mouth of the Rhine and were "driven from mouth of the Rhine and were "driven from their homes by the frequency of wars and the their homes by the frequency of wars and the violent rising of the sea".violent rising of the sea".

During the later Iron Age the Gauls During the later Iron Age the Gauls generally wore long-sleeved shirts or tunics and generally wore long-sleeved shirts or tunics and long trousers (called braccae by the Romans). long trousers (called braccae by the Romans). Clothes were made of wool or linen, with some Clothes were made of wool or linen, with some silk being used by the rich. Cloaks were worn in silk being used by the rich. Cloaks were worn in the winter. Brooches and armlets were used, but the winter. Brooches and armlets were used, but the most famous item of jewellery was the torc, a the most famous item of jewellery was the torc, a neck collar of metal, sometimes gold. The neck collar of metal, sometimes gold. The horned Waterloo Helmet in the British Museum, horned Waterloo Helmet in the British Museum, which long set the standard for modern images which long set the standard for modern images of Celtic warriors, is in fact a unique survival, of Celtic warriors, is in fact a unique survival, and may have been a piece for ceremonial rather and may have been a piece for ceremonial rather than military wear.than military wear.

Like other European Iron Age tribal societies, Like other European Iron Age tribal societies, the Celts practised a polytheistic religion. Many Celtic the Celts practised a polytheistic religion. Many Celtic gods are known from texts and inscriptions from the gods are known from texts and inscriptions from the Roman period. Rites and sacrificesRoman period. Rites and sacrificeswere carried out by priests knownwere carried out by priests knownas druids. The Celts did not see as druids. The Celts did not see their gods as having human shapes their gods as having human shapes until late in the Iron Age. Celtic until late in the Iron Age. Celtic shrines were situated in remote shrines were situated in remote areas such as hilltops, groves, areas such as hilltops, groves, and lakes.and lakes.