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Constanze Witt wrote: > > Lucia, John etc. > > You touch on something I've always wondered about: how can the > archaeological record identify an object as "sacrificial"? > Cze, Regarding sacrifices, a good book is: Well and the Tree: World and Time in Early Germanic Culture by Paul C. Bauschatz It doesn't specifically deal with the Celts, and much of it is more relevant to Norse customs of our own era, but it is really worth obtaining. Among many other things Bauschatz shows that some sacrifices are objects of fertility: a sheep sacrificed in the now would travel back in time and breed, so that the dedicator would be assured of plenty of sheep in the present. Colin Haselgrove in _Iron Age Coinage in South East England, the archaeological context_ cites a case of a Celtic grave where a brooch had been deliberately broken. This, while not really universal, points to a widespread habit of "killing" objects so that they can then travel to the otherworld. I should warn you that there is no index in this two volume work! There are so many factors in this subject, it is difficult to know where to begin. Sacrifices of the elite can be symbolic, except during times of extreme stress. The poor and uneducated show signs of trying to bargain with their deities, but their lives might have been stressful enough at all times. Perhaps combinations of stress and the ability to abstract or symbolize could affect the nature of sacrifice. Borders between tribal areas, perimeters of hill forts, believed portals to the otherworld, all are likely places where sacrifices might have taken place. It is an interesting question -- I wish I had some interesting answers! Regarding Bournemouth, if you are not going to be there during the arts festival, at least visit some not too distant sites: Hengistbury Head and Maiden Castle should not be missed by anyone interested in the Iron Age. Try to see a bit of Dorset -- Swanage is a charming, rather romantic place, well worth staying there for a few days. Cheers, John -- Visit our Website at http://www.writer2001.com Coriosolite Expert System...Animation...Poetry...Books Hooker & Perron, Total Project Coordination Technical Writing...Graphics...Maps...Colour Suites...Expert Systems %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%