Archaeologists in Germany have made an exciting discovery that could shed light on ancient Celtic culture. They have unearthed a cache of grave goods, including an impressive “folded” sword and an unusually well-preserved pair of scissors. These were found within the confines of a 2,300-year-old Celtic cremation tomb.
Researchers believe a man and a woman were buried there based on the range of objects found, which include a fragment of a shield, a razor, a fibula (clasp), a belt chain, and a spearhead.
According to a translated statement, the Celts, who resided in continental Europe, burnt their deceased and buried their bodies in trenches beside their goods during the third and second centuries BC.
According to the statement, the artifacts were discovered by coincidence by an excavation crew looking for World War II-era explosive devices. The burial is a remarkable find, however, one grave good caught the attention of researchers: the pair of left-handed scissors.
According to Martina Pauli an archaeologist with the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments in Munich, the scissors in particular are in exceptionally good condition. One would almost be tempted to cut with it. The scissors were used – as they are today – for cutting, but could also be used in the craft sector, for example in leather processing or sheep shearing.
While the almost 5-inch-long (12-centimeter) shears were most likely used for everyday tasks, Pauli believes the weapons, particularly the folding blade, were used in battle. “It is quite typical to find Celtic swords folded in graves in this fashion,” she added.
According to the statement, prior to the burial, the sword “was heated, folded and thus rendered unusable” and would have measured 30 inches (76 cm) in length.
“There are different interpretations that range from a very profane point of view, namely that the sword simply had a better place in the grave, to a cultic interpretation,” Pauli said. “There could be a variety of motivations for permanent disabling: prevention of grave robbers, fear of revenants’ bodies rising from the dead, and the like.”
Pauli added, “The burial objects indicate socially superior people to whom these heavy metal finds were added. The men’s burial could be that of a warrior, as indicated by the weapons. The belt chain from the woman’s grave served as a belt that held together and adorned the robe, perhaps a dress, at the hips. The singular fibula from the woman’s grave was also used to fasten a coat together on the shoulder.”
The items were recovered and brought to the state office for monument protection for safekeeping. These grave goods provide us with amazing knowledge and a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Celts and their practices surrounding burials and funeral rituals.
The exceptionally good quality of the scissors and the folded sword’s potential use in battle is a testament to the craftsmanship and skill of the Celtic people. We can’t wait to see what other exciting discoveries these archaeologists will uncover in the future!
