In archaeology and anthropology, a celt is a type of prehistoric tool or weapon, usually made of stone or metal, that is shaped like a chisel or axe head. It’s one of the most widespread artifact forms in human prehistory, appearing across cultures and time periods.
🌍 Definition
- Celt: A tool or implement, typically with a beveled cutting edge, used for chopping, carving, or woodworking.
- Etymology: The term comes from Latin celtis (“chisel”).
- Form: Often polished, with a tapered body and sharp edge; can be hafted into a wooden handle.
🔑 Archaeological Contexts
- Neolithic Period:
- Stone celts (often polished) were used in agriculture, woodworking, and construction.
- Found in contexts of early farming societies worldwide.
- Bronze & Iron Ages:
- Metal celts (bronze, copper, iron) replaced stone versions, showing technological advancement.
- Global Distribution:
- Common in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
- In Mesoamerica, celts were often ceremonial, made of jade or greenstone, symbolizing fertility and power.
- Funerary & Ritual Use:
- Some celts were deposited in graves or hoards, indicating symbolic value beyond utility.
📚 Importance in Anthropology
- Technological Insight: Celts show advances in tool-making, from flaked stone to polished stone to metallurgy.
- Economic Role: Essential for farming, woodworking, and construction.
- Symbolic Value: In many cultures, celts were prestige items, linked to ritual and status.
- Comparative Value: Celts highlight cross-cultural parallels in tool evolution and symbolic use.
In short: A celt is a prehistoric axe- or chisel-like tool, made of stone or metal, used for woodworking, farming, and ritual, found across cultures from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
