Kelttiläiskeskittymiä

Kelttiläiskeskittymiä refers to areas where Celtic culture, languages, and peoples were historically concentrated. These regions were prominent in the Iron Age and the Roman period across large parts of Europe. The most well-known Celtic heartlands include Gaul, which encompasses modern-day France, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland and Germany. Other significant areas were Britain, Ireland, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

The material culture associated with these settlements, often identified through archaeological finds like La Tène style artifacts, provides crucial evidence for the spread and influence of Celtic societies. These finds include intricate metalwork, weaponry, and pottery. The Celts were not a unified empire but rather a collection of tribes and peoples who shared linguistic and cultural traits. Their societal structure was often hierarchical, with druids playing an important role in religious and social life.

The expansion of the Roman Empire led to the assimilation and Romanization of many Celtic populations, particularly in Gaul. However, Celtic languages and traditions persisted in some areas, most notably in Ireland and parts of Britain, contributing to the modern Celtic nations. The study of kelttiläiskeskittymiä is fundamental to understanding the pre-Roman and early medieval history of Europe.