‘Celtic’ designs
The time before the arrival of the Romans in Britain is called the Iron Age (about 800 BC to AD 43). It was the time when iron was first used instead of bronze to make tools and weapons. In the parts of Europe that the Romans never conquered, the name ‘Iron Age’ is used to cover a much longer time. Often all Iron Age people are called ‘Celts’, but in fact many different sorts of people lived in different parts of Britain and Europe at this time.
brooch
armlets
bracelet
mirror
detail of mirror
brooch
helmet
detail of torc
fastener for clothes
shield
detail of shield
Find out more about the Iron Age Visit the main Museum website Use Explore to look at some of our objects