Today, this Celtic culture remains strong only in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, where the Celtic languages are still spoken. More than 2,000 years ago, however, the Celts were ruling territories across Europe, from Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Great Britain in the west, to Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia in the east. Although they never formed an empire, the Celts shared a common language and culture.
In the late 5th century BC, Celtic tribes from Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic first invaded what is now Hungary, says András Tóth, an archaeologist at the Aquincum Museum. A little more than a century later, they ruled the land on which the present capital of Hungary was built.
There is a mystery surrounding this first Celtic settlement in Budapest, which has not yet been found, says Tóth. To date, the most important Celtic site discovered here is a large cemetery i at Csepel Island up to 2300 years old. From 2004 to 2006, excavations revealed bodies dressed in ornate clothing and buried with fine jewelry, weapons and ceramics.
In the first century BC, Celtic villages dotted both sides of the Danube, which separates Budapest, he explains. These communities developed a monetary system and were skilled in pottery, metallurgy and agriculture. There was a fort in the middle of it Promised Hillan elevated site that tourists visit today to enjoy expansive views of the city, explore a 19th-century citadel, and enter the unique cave setting of St. Gellert’s Rock Church.
Celtic society reached its peak here in the early 1st century BC. Tourists can visit the Aquincum Museum to see coins from this era, as well as even older Celtic pottery. Then came the Roman Empire, says Orsolya Láng, archaeologist and former director of the Aquincum Museum. It is believed that the mighty Romans intimidated the Celts with little or no bloodshed.
Aquincum began as a military center in the middle of the 1st century BC, and later became the regional capital of Rome, before being abandoned in the 4th century AD Their culture and the Celtic names of their settlements were preserved for many years,” says Láng of the first era of Aquincum.
Now, however, Hungary’s Celtic heritage is gone, says Krisztián Varga, who has studied Celtic history for the past twenty years and participates in the November festival at the Museum. It is more or less the same, he says, in all the nations where the Celts flourished, except Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
“The survival of the Celtic culture in the British Isles was very helpful with a strong sense of identity, as the modern population considered themselves to be direct descendants (of the Celts),” he says. “However, the Eastern Celts had a different history. Their culture ended when they mixed with the local population,” he says.
Two millennia later, Budapest’s strongest connection to its Celtic era is the coming Samhna event. Now in its fifth year, this unique show aims not only to attract visitors to the Aquincum Museum, which sits anonymously in the quiet northern suburbs of the city. But also, to draw attention to the understated influence of the Celts, whose pioneering efforts were hidden under Budapest.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and András Tóth, Archaeologist at the Aquincum Museum
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, András. Your work at the Aquincum Museum is fascinating, especially regarding the Celtic history in Hungary. Can you start by giving us a brief overview of how the Celts came to inhabit the territory of modern-day Hungary?
András Tóth: Thank you for having me! The story of the Celts in Hungary is quite intriguing. Celtic tribes began to advance into the region from areas we now know as Switzerland and Germany around the late 5th century BC. They established settlements that eventually contributed to the development of what would become Budapest. While they never formed a centralized empire, the Celts created a widespread culture across Europe, and Hungary was an important piece of that tapestry.
Editor: That sounds significant! You mentioned that there’s a mystery surrounding the first Celtic settlement in Budapest. What can you tell us about this mystery and what has been discovered so far?
András Tóth: Yes, the exact location of the first Celtic settlement within Budapest remains elusive. Archaeologists have yet to pinpoint it, which adds an air of mystery to our understanding of Celtic life here. However, our excavations have uncovered a large cemetery on Csepel Island, which is nearly 2,300 years old. The richness of the graves—with ornate clothing, fine jewelry, and weapons—hints at a sophisticated society.
Editor: Incredible! What do these burial practices reveal about the Celtic culture in that era?
András Tóth: The burial practices suggest that the Celts had a complex social structure, valuing craftsmanship and perhaps even a degree of social hierarchy. The presence of valuable items and beautiful artifacts indicates they may have believed in an afterlife, where such items would be useful. It also reflects their artistry in metallurgy and pottery, which were advanced for their time.
Editor: Moving beyond burial sites, what can you tell us about the day-to-day life of the Celts in this region?
András Tóth: The Celts were primarily agricultural people, adept at farming and animal husbandry. They had developed a monetary system, which is quite fascinating for that period. The archaeological findings reveal that they had well-organized villages along the Danube, focusing on both trade and local craftsmanship.
Editor: That’s fascinating! I understand that there was a prominent fort known as Promised Hill during the Celtic era. How did this fort play a role in the society at that time?
András Tóth: Promised Hill served as a fortification, providing protection to the neighboring Celtic villages. Its elevated position offered strategic advantages, not just for defense but also for trade routes along the Danube. Today, it’s a popular tourist site where visitors can see the remnants of the citadel and enjoy breathtaking views of Budapest. Its historical significance continues to resonate.
Editor: With the rise of the Roman Empire, how did the fate of the Celtic tribes in Hungary change?
András Tóth: The arrival of the Roman Empire marked a turning point. While Celtic culture flourished in the region, it began to wane under Roman influence. Many Celtic communities were absorbed into the Roman way of life, leading to significant cultural changes. However, some Celtic customs and traditions persisted, especially in language and craftsmanship.
Editor: It seems like the legacy of the Celts still finds echoes today in the cultural fabric of Europe. How do you see this legacy manifested in modern Hungary?
András Tóth: The Celts certainly left a lasting impact on Hungary, especially in terms of archaeological heritage. Their contributions to art, language, and social organization have woven into the local culture. Even today, aspects of their traditions can be seen in crafts and folklore, and they provoke curiosity and pride among Hungarians about their ancient history.
Editor: Thank you, András, for this enlightening conversation! Your insights into Celtic history in Hungary remind us of the rich tapestry of our collective past. We look forward to any future discoveries that might help unravel the mystery surrounding the first Celtic settlement in Budapest.
András Tóth: Thank you for having me! I share the excitement for future discoveries and the journey of uncovering our past.