Ancient European Cultures

Before and during the era of the Roman Empire, Europe was inhabited by a patchwork of peoples whose cultures are reconstructed today through archaeology, ancient written accounts and linguistic evidence. Many left no written records of their own, so what is known comes largely from their settlements, burials, metalwork and from descriptions written by their neighbours. These cultures shaped the later history of the continent, especially during the upheavals of the migration period in the early centuries of the first millennium.

The Celts were a group of peoples spread across much of western and central Europe and the British Isles, sharing related languages and an artistic style known for intricate patterns. The Britons were Celtic peoples of Britain before and during Roman rule. North of Roman Britain lived the Picts, a confederation of peoples known from Roman sources and from their distinctive carved stones. The Goths were a Germanic people who migrated widely and eventually established kingdoms within the territory of the former Western Roman Empire.

The migration period was also shaped by peoples arriving from the east, most famously the Huns, nomadic horsemen whose incursions pressured both Germanic peoples and the Roman world. Studying these cultures involves piecing together fragmentary evidence to understand how they lived, fought, traded and eventually merged into the medieval societies of Europe. Many are remembered as “lost” cultures because their identities were absorbed into later nations.

Frequently asked questions

Who were the Celts?

The Celts were related peoples across western and central Europe and the British Isles who shared Celtic languages and a distinctive art style.

Who were the Picts?

The Picts were a confederation of peoples in what is now northern Scotland, known from Roman accounts and from their carved symbol stones.

Who were the Huns?

The Huns were nomadic horse-riding peoples from the east whose movements into Europe in the migration period put pressure on Germanic and Roman societies.