The Celtic warrior with Professor Melanie Giles

The Celtic warrior: violent assemblages in the Iron Age of Britain 

Popular images of Iron Age Britain are dominated by the figure of the Celtic warrior: noble fighters, war-crazed charioteers and fearsome swordsmen. But how far does this reflect reality? 

Drawing on archaeological evidence from across Britain, this talk will explore the changing nature of conflict in Iron Age society, from the centuries before Rome to the threat of conquest itself. 

Through remarkable objects including swords, shields, chariots and war horns, Professor Melanie Giles will show that violence in Iron Age Britain involved far more than warriors alone, offering a fresh perspective on one of its most enduring historical stereotypes. 

This lecture will be held in honour of Richard Bradley, Professor Emeritus of Archaeology, whose work has transformed our vision of the archaeological past. 

About the speaker

Melanie Giles is a professor of European Prehistory at the University of Manchester and a fellow of the British Academy. Her research examines the societies and cultures of later prehistoric Europe, with particular interest in Iron Age violence and burial, Celtic art and warfare, and the relationships between people, objects and belief. 

Image © Cambridge Archaeological Unit