Celtic Archaeology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a broad framework of knowledge relating to peoples archaeologically connotable as Celtic who lived during the Ist millennium BC in continental Europe and south of the Alps, with particular regard to the complexes referable to the Golasecca Celts (I Iron Age) and to the La Tène Celts that from the 4th century BC onward spread in the so-called Gallia Cisalpina.
Pratically, the aim is to achieve the capacity to recognize and interpretate the sources, that in addition to the archaeological record from inhabited, funerary and cultural sites, include epigraphic documents and classical texts as well, and to examinate the relationship between material culture and cultural identity.
Furthermore, taking into account that during the Iron Age the region covered by the topic assumes the structure that still characterizes it and its main cities arose, the course can represent a reflection on how the protohistoric archaeology can contribute to the interpretation of the current landscape in its diachronic stratification and to the debate relating to ethnicity and cultural identity, also referred to the contemporary.
Pratically, the aim is to achieve the capacity to recognize and interpretate the sources, that in addition to the archaeological record from inhabited, funerary and cultural sites, include epigraphic documents and classical texts as well, and to examinate the relationship between material culture and cultural identity.
Furthermore, taking into account that during the Iron Age the region covered by the topic assumes the structure that still characterizes it and its main cities arose, the course can represent a reflection on how the protohistoric archaeology can contribute to the interpretation of the current landscape in its diachronic stratification and to the debate relating to ethnicity and cultural identity, also referred to the contemporary.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of archaeological sources, with particular regard to material culture and productions, artistic expressions, settlement dynamics, funerary documentation, economics and exchanges.
Ability to use archaeological sources in order to read and interpret the ideological aspects and the social and economic structures that characterize the ancient societies under the topic .
Knowledge of literature, seminal sources and interpretations that have most significantly contributed to the understanding of the contexts and critical ability to evaluate open problems and possible divergent interpretations of phenomena.
Ability to use archaeological sources in order to read and interpret the ideological aspects and the social and economic structures that characterize the ancient societies under the topic .
Knowledge of literature, seminal sources and interpretations that have most significantly contributed to the understanding of the contexts and critical ability to evaluate open problems and possible divergent interpretations of phenomena.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course offers an overview of Celtic archaeology, focusing on the Celtic complexes of northern Italy. It will explore the relationships between local Celtic groups and the Celts associated with the Hallstatt and La Tène cultures.
Prerequisites for admission
Not required. Protostoria europea (Later Prehistory) is suggested.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons (with power-point presentation). Each lesson includes a class discussion in order to stimulate a critical debate and check if the in-progress knowledge is correctly understood and applied.
E-learning material is uploaded and made available on the Ariel platform (figures, tables , open-access articles, bibliography).
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the professor in order to define the exam programme.
E-learning material is uploaded and made available on the Ariel platform (figures, tables , open-access articles, bibliography).
Attendance is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the professor in order to define the exam programme.
Teaching Resources
Barry Cunliffe, The Ancient Celts . Oxford (Oxford University Press) 2018 [2nd edition!!!]
Chaume B. et al., Entre l'état et la chefferie simple : le complexe aristocratique de Vix/le mont Lassois, in : Brun P., Chaume B., Sacchetti F., éd., Vix et le phénomène princier, Actes du colloque de Châtillon-sur-Seine, 2016, Pessac, Ausonius éditions, collection DAN@ 5, 2021, 19-38, [en ligne] https://una-editions.fr/entre-etat-et-chefferie-simple
de Marinis R.C. 2017, La prima età del Ferro, in Harari M., a c. di, , in Il territorio di Varese in età preistorica e protostorica, Busto Arsizio (Nomos edizioni), pp. 196-237.
de Marinis R.C., Casini S. 2020, The Early Iron Age Protourbanisation along the Ticino River 243 and around Como, in Fernández-Götz M., Metzner-Nebelsick C., Zamboni L., eds., Crossing the Alps. Early urbanism between northern Italy and Central Europe (900-400 BC), Proceedings of the International Conference, Milan, 29-30 March 2019, Leiden (Sidestone Press), pp. 243-256.
Rapi M., From Golasecca Celts to Insubres. Northwestern Italy in the Late Iron Age. In: A. G. Posluschny / F. Verse / W. David (Hrsg.), „Keltische Räume" - Kern und Kontaktzonen in Europa. Internationale Tagung im Rahmen des Keltenjahres „Kelten Land Hessen" im Archäologischen Museum Frankfurt, 29.06.2022-01.07.2022. Fundberichte aus Hessen, Beihefte 14 = Berichte der Kommission für Archäologische Landesforschung in Hessen 16 = Archäologisches Museum Frankfurt - Publikationen 10 (Heidelberg 2024) 305-325. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11588/propylaeum.1446.c20629
de Marinis R.C., L'età gallica in Lombardia (IV-I secolo a.C.): risultati delle ultime ricerche e problemi aperti, Atti 2° Convegno Archeologico Regionale. Como 1984, Como 1986, pp. 93-173.
Rapi M. 2023, Fiasche a trottola e Celti cisalpini in Lambrugo C. (ed.), A Turning World: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Spinning Top and 'mosca cieca', Milano (Milano University Press), pp. 63-72.
Rapi M. 2025, L'archeologia dei Lepontii. Breve storia degli studi. In Piana Agostinetti (ed.), Studiosi e cultori di archeologia dell'Alto Verbano dall'Ottocento ai nostri giorni. Atti del Convegno (Verbania, 8 ottobre 2022), Oscellana 2025,1, pp. 19-43.
Vitali D., Arte lateniana e Celti d'Italia, Notizie Archeologiche Bergomensi, 19, 2011, pp. 427-445.
Lejars Th., L'ARMEMENT DES CELTES D'ITALIE, Les Celtes et le Nord de l'Italie (Premier et Second Âges du fer). Actes du XXXVIe colloque international de l'A.F.E.A.F. (Vérone, 17-20 mai 2012), pp. 401-434.
Ulteriori letture saranno fornite durante il corso
Chaume B. et al., Entre l'état et la chefferie simple : le complexe aristocratique de Vix/le mont Lassois, in : Brun P., Chaume B., Sacchetti F., éd., Vix et le phénomène princier, Actes du colloque de Châtillon-sur-Seine, 2016, Pessac, Ausonius éditions, collection DAN@ 5, 2021, 19-38, [en ligne] https://una-editions.fr/entre-etat-et-chefferie-simple
de Marinis R.C. 2017, La prima età del Ferro, in Harari M., a c. di, , in Il territorio di Varese in età preistorica e protostorica, Busto Arsizio (Nomos edizioni), pp. 196-237.
de Marinis R.C., Casini S. 2020, The Early Iron Age Protourbanisation along the Ticino River 243 and around Como, in Fernández-Götz M., Metzner-Nebelsick C., Zamboni L., eds., Crossing the Alps. Early urbanism between northern Italy and Central Europe (900-400 BC), Proceedings of the International Conference, Milan, 29-30 March 2019, Leiden (Sidestone Press), pp. 243-256.
Rapi M., From Golasecca Celts to Insubres. Northwestern Italy in the Late Iron Age. In: A. G. Posluschny / F. Verse / W. David (Hrsg.), „Keltische Räume" - Kern und Kontaktzonen in Europa. Internationale Tagung im Rahmen des Keltenjahres „Kelten Land Hessen" im Archäologischen Museum Frankfurt, 29.06.2022-01.07.2022. Fundberichte aus Hessen, Beihefte 14 = Berichte der Kommission für Archäologische Landesforschung in Hessen 16 = Archäologisches Museum Frankfurt - Publikationen 10 (Heidelberg 2024) 305-325. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11588/propylaeum.1446.c20629
de Marinis R.C., L'età gallica in Lombardia (IV-I secolo a.C.): risultati delle ultime ricerche e problemi aperti, Atti 2° Convegno Archeologico Regionale. Como 1984, Como 1986, pp. 93-173.
Rapi M. 2023, Fiasche a trottola e Celti cisalpini in Lambrugo C. (ed.), A Turning World: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Spinning Top and 'mosca cieca', Milano (Milano University Press), pp. 63-72.
Rapi M. 2025, L'archeologia dei Lepontii. Breve storia degli studi. In Piana Agostinetti (ed.), Studiosi e cultori di archeologia dell'Alto Verbano dall'Ottocento ai nostri giorni. Atti del Convegno (Verbania, 8 ottobre 2022), Oscellana 2025,1, pp. 19-43.
Vitali D., Arte lateniana e Celti d'Italia, Notizie Archeologiche Bergomensi, 19, 2011, pp. 427-445.
Lejars Th., L'ARMEMENT DES CELTES D'ITALIE, Les Celtes et le Nord de l'Italie (Premier et Second Âges du fer). Actes du XXXVIe colloque international de l'A.F.E.A.F. (Vérone, 17-20 mai 2012), pp. 401-434.
Ulteriori letture saranno fornite durante il corso
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment consists in an oral examination related to the topics listed in the teaching programme (2 teaching units = 6 ECTS), and include identification and description of finds and sites, which should be correctly placed in their spatial and temporal framework. The evaluation (from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 30/30 cum laude) considers the following criteria: knowledge of the topics, completeness and clarity in presentation, argumentation and critical capacity, use of the specific and technical archaeological terminology.
L-ANT/01 - PREHISTORY AND EARLY HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Rapi Marta Roberta Matelda
Professor(s)