The Celtic cart

Traces of an occupation that existed well before the creation of the city of Lugdunum have been found just about everywhere in the Lyon region, as shown by the remains of this Celtic chart, which dates from the Bronze Age, around 800 B.D.
It was most certainly not used to transport people; rather, it was meant for ceremonies. The four wheels, a bucket and a bronze basin remain.

Locate in the museum

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What?
Copper alloy (poured, hammered)

When?
Late Bronze Age - 1400 B.C. to 800 B.C. (from 1400 B.C. to 800 B.C.)

Where?
Europe / France / Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / Isère department / La Côte-Saint-André

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History of the work

This cart was accidentally unearthed in 1888 in a field near La Côte-Saint-André (Isère department), southeast of Lyon. The wheels date from the late Bronze Age, ca. 800 B.C., while the bucket carried in the cart is more recent. It was probably imported from North Italy around 600 B.C.

A cart for a special purpose

It is thought that this cart was used for festivities or religious ceremonies. The large bronze recipient might have contained water for purification rituals or alcoholic drinks (beer or wine) to be served during festivities and banquets.