Animal depictions in late Iron Age (or early ‘Celtic’) art have always been associated with strong symbolism. Wild boars have long been associated with fierce warriors, crows and ravens have been linked with death and the battlefield, and horses have always been thought to be the symbol of kings. With all the new finds that have been reported over the last twenty years, does the new evidence we have support these ideas? Or is something else going on? Were the uses of animals nothing more than fashion statements, akin to how flamingos and seashells decorate high summer accessories today?

This talk is based on the results of a recently completed and soon to be published doctoral study, which will introduce some of the weird, wonderful, and wacky artefacts from the 441 that were analysed. It will identify the challenges in recognising the genuinely figurative in a famously abstract art style and explore how this work has changed our understanding of the use of art by Iron Age communities in this period. In recognition of recent discoveries, it will also briefly touch upon the importance of human depictions from the area, and how they have challenged our understanding of art development and aesthetics.

A year after graduating with a BA in Archaeology and Heritage Studies from the University of Worcester, I went on to complete my MA in Archaeology at the University of Bradford where I was first introduced to La Tène art studies. After securing funding from the Heritage Consortium, I graduated with my PhD from the University of Hull in May 2022. I continue to research and publish on new artefact discoveries, most recently on the Marlborough Bucket, the second most decorated vessel in Iron Age Europe.

Booking recommended as places are limited