Short courses

Summary

The Celts were a collection of indo-European peoples united by their use of similar languages and cultures. They indelibly left their mark via fascinating inscriptions on stone, ceramics and lead across early medieval Europe, Britain, and Ireland. Over time people have pondered their meaning but how do we understand these markings now? What do they tell us about the peoples who left them? 

Join this short practical course to explore a range of inscriptions made by Celtic peoples and learn first-hand what’s involved in interpreting them. You will study various writing systems used by Celtic peoples, the roles and functions of the inscriptions, and the challenges of interpreting the material evidence – including using the latest 3D models. Special focus will be placed on using the inscriptions to explore further multi-culturalism, gender, and identity in ancient and early medieval Celtic societies. 

Over a series of talks, practical demonstrations, and discussions our expert tutor will explain: 

• a range of inscriptions made by Celtic peoples from ancient and early medieval Europe, Britain, and Ireland (c. 600 BCE – c. 900 CE), the different types of alphabets used by specific Celtic cultures, the time-frame in which these were employed, and the types of media (e.g. stone, ceramics, or lead) on which they were written 
• the practical skills and challenges involved in interpreting the material evidence and new approaches, such as 3D models 
• what the inscriptions can reveal regarding multi-culturalism, gender, and identity in ancient and early medieval Celtic societies 

You will also have the chance to discuss and reflect on what you learn with other students and the tutor in seminars. 

Choose this course if you want to learn: 

• how to recognise the different writing systems used by specific Celtic cultures, the time-frame in which these were employed, and the types of media (e.g. stone, ceramics, or lead) on which they were written 
• first-hand experience of transliterating select inscriptions, including using 3D models 
• the challenges involved in interpreting the material evidence