Celtic Chariots

[fsn]

Dear Gentlemen of the Forum, Cadets and Lower Orders who are identified by the avatars being preceded by a cardinal point of the compass.

I have just spent a couple of days  in the fair city of Edinburgh. I happened into the National Museum of Scotland and was delighted by the sheer randomness of the collection and particularly the ethnographic exhibits, and the huge pornographic clock.

The was a special exhibition on under the simple and accurate description of "Celts". Very interesting with a number of loan exhibits including the Battersea Shield, the horny helmet and the Galuberg statue (or that might be a copy ...) and many many intricate bronze and gold goods.

One of the main exhibits is a reconstructed chariot, and this, Gentlemen of the Forum, Cadets and Lower Orders who are identified by the avatars being preceded by a cardinal point of the compass, is where I got a bit confused. The chariot is a lightweight, two-wheeled affair with the chariot floor made of cross laid rubber bands. The sides are very, very low - 18"(ish). My question for the knowledgeable is "how do you not fall out of this chariot?" Do you kneel in it? The sides are too low to hold to steady yourself, and it just seems very impractical. Other reconstructions I've seen have hoops of cane(?) that reach up high enough to be a viable handhold.



Any thoughts?

[d_Guy]

Is this a possible clue?

[Fenton]

Maybe you kneel in it or at least kneel on one knee

[Luddite]

[Ithoriel]

This is the one I remember from the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, back when it shared premises with the National Portrait Gallery.

As you can see, the "hoop" is only knee high.

I imagine today's surfers have much the same skill set right enough.

[FierceKitty]

Well, Lowlanders are quite short, aren't they? In stature, I mean; not impugning their masculinity....

Btw, was the "horny helmet" near the "pornographic clock"?

[fsn]

I can see how it is possible to stand on the back of the chariot, but surely if you're going a distance then having a handhold would be less tiring than having to brace yourself constantly?

For a period I was un/fortunate enough to work in the Old Kent Road. Travelling on  the Tube was eased by "strap hanging". The body could flop about a bit, being anchored by feel and strap. Without the strap, all the work had to be done with the legs and one felt quite knackered.

I don't believe our (sorry - "your", I can make no claim) Celtic ancestors would tire themselves out needlessly. Perhaps the frames were in place for travel but removed for battle? On this example, that would be quite feasible?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

If you remember 'Meet The Ancestors' with Julian ? They reconstructed a chariot and that arch system turned out to be a suspended basket that stayed more or less level whilst the chariot turned sharply.

[Wulf]

Yes, I remember that recreation, it turned out to be surprisingly stable. The 'floor' of the chariot was actually only attached by straps & ropes to the arches.

[DanJ]

There is also the issue of speed, how past was it supposed to go, not on a flat playing field but across rough pasture, arable fields etc.

The speed it could travel would effect the speed of the thing.

[Leman]

As I understand it a Celtic chariot frequently delivered a warrior, who then did his thing on foot, remounted the chariot and pootled off. I don't think they were expected to charge at 40mph.

[Womble67]

I used these pictures for painting guides Gallic/Celtic Artwork & Painting Gallic & Celtic Warbands

hope it helps.

Take care

Andy

[jchaos79]

The one think I am sure here is that the chariot was used to throw jabalins or projectil. If you try to charge with a thrusting spear and hit the target the charioteer will fall of the chariot.

[SV52]

As Caesar describes it:

"In chariot fighting the Britons begin by driving all over the field hurling javelins, and generally the terror inspired by the horses and the noise of the wheels are sufficient to throw their opponents' ranks into disorder. Then, after making their way between the squadrons of their own cavalry, they jump down from the chariot and engage on foot. In the meantime their charioteers retire a short distance from the battle and place the chariots in such a position that their masters, if hard pressed by numbers, have an easy means of retreat to their own lines. Thus they combine the mobility of cavalry with the staying power of infantry; and by daily training and practice they attain such proficiency that even on a steep incline they are able to control the horses at full gallop, and to check and turn them in a moment. They can run along the chariot pole, stand on the yoke, and get back into the chariot as quick as lightning" (Gallic War, IV.33).

He knows 'cos he was there   

[Leman]

Some good contemporary photographic evidence above