Rethinking the Ancient Druids: An Archaeological Perspective (New Approaches to Celtic Religion and Mythology)

Ancient Classical authors have painted the Druids in a bad light, defining them as a barbaric priesthood, who 2,000 years ago perpetrated savage and blood rites in ancient Britain and Gaul in the name of their gods.Archaeology tells a different and more complicated story of this enigmatic priesthood, a theocracy with immense political and sacred power.This book explores the tangible 'footprint' the Druids have left behind: in sacred spaces, art, ritual equipment, images of the gods, strange burial rites and human sacrifice.Their material culture indicates how close was the relationship between Druids and the spirit-world, which evidence suggests they accessed through drug-induced trance.