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The famous Gundestrup Cauldron (Copenhagen Museum): widely supposed to depict Celtic mythology! But there are problems... Apart from the craftsmanship (which appears more Thracian) and the findspot (Denmark!), the individual panels are also difficult to interpret: do they depict Celtic gods? Can we relate this to other sources, like the pillar of the boatmen from Paris? Olmsted, in his 1978 book "The Gundestrup Cauldron". argued for a comparison with Irish mythology.
Romano-Celtic altar from Reims: Is this the 'Celtic' god CERNUNNOS? Is he the same as the horned god from Gundestrup? The problem is that all horned gods have been called CERNUNNOS! The god's name is actually only attested once, on the Pillar of the Boatmen from Paris (AD 14-37), and the first letter is broken off! Also: notice differences in depictions, above all gods with horns and those with antlers! A big difference in meaning! (photo: R.H.)
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If we want to find out more about Celtic religion(s), then we need to go back to the origins.
First, what does 'Celtic' mean, and who are the 'Celts'? For example:
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