Iron Age Scotland - the Hallstatt, La Tene and Belgae Peoples

The plough, called an ard, was pulled by cattle and turned the top nine inches (22 cms) or so of soil. Crops included barley, emmer and spelt (types of wheat) and Celtic bean (similar to broad bean). They also grew woad for dyeing.

Strabo, the Roman writer, mentions that the British exported clever hunting dogs which implies that the people had an unusual skill in training dogs.

The Hallstatts, La Tene and Belgae were part of the grouping of peoples known as the ‘Celts’. It is from this period that the term becomes applicable to Scotland.

Although ‘Celt’ has now become synonymous with Scotland and Ireland, it actually refers to a large and varied number of tribes who occupied vast expanses of Europe. As the term recurs so frequently in the study of Scotland, I shall look at the Celts, their probable origins, migrations and religious beliefs, more fully next week.

Go To Page: 1 2