Celtic Heritage
Connecting you to ancient Celtic warriors...
Preparing your ancestral journey
The Warrior Blood
Within You
From the misty hills of ancient Europe, your Celtic ancestors shaped a civilization of warriors, druids, and artisans. This report traces your genetic connections to the Hallstatt, La Tène, and Gallic peoples who left their mark on history.
I17322
Central Bohemia. Prague 5. Prague-Jinonice (Holmanʼs Garden Centre), Czech Republic
Your closest genetic match from our Celtic reference database. This individual lived approximately 2,426 years ago in what is now Czech Republic. This connection suggests potential ancestral links to La Tène Celtic communities.
Your Closest Celtic Ancestors
Beyond your #1 match, these ancient Celts share the strongest genetic connections with you.
I16087
800 BCE ~2,826 years ago
I20507
400 BCE ~2,426 years ago
I13780
400 BCE ~2,426 years ago
Your Celtic Culture Connections
Your DNA shows a 11% genetic closeness to Celtic samples. Here's how your genetic profile matches each major Celtic culture.
La Tène
450 - 50 BCEThe La Tène period (450-50 BCE) represents the height of Celtic artistic and cultural development, featuring distinctive art styles, advanced metalworking, and sophisticated social structures.
What this means: You show a significant connection, suggesting meaningful ancestral influence from this culture.
Hallstatt
800 - 450 BCEThe Hallstatt period (800-450 BCE) marks the emergence of Celtic cultural identity in central Europe, characterized by iron working, salt mining, and elaborate burial practices.
What this means: You show a significant connection, suggesting meaningful ancestral influence from this culture.
Cultural Artifacts
Masterpieces from the Celtic cultures connected to your ancestry
Hallstatt
5 artifactsHallstatt Salt Mining Backpack
800-400 BCE
Remarkably preserved leather backpack used by Hallstatt salt miners, preserved by the salt itself. Demonstrates the daily life and economy of the Hallstatt civilization.
Hallstatt Ceremonial Dagger
700-600 BCE
This finely decorated ceremonial dagger served as both a weapon and status symbol, often buried with warriors to emphasize their social rank.
Strettweg Cult Wagon
600 BCE
A 35cm bronze ritual wagon featuring a central goddess figure surrounded by warriors, horsemen, and stags. One of the most iconic Hallstatt artifacts.
Hochdorf Chieftain's Couch
530 BCE
An elaborate bronze funerary couch from the Hochdorf chieftain's burial, supported by eight bronze female figurines on wheels. Found with gold jewelry and a massive bronze cauldron.
Vix Krater
510 BCE
The largest known ancient bronze vessel (1.64m tall, 208kg), found in the burial of a Celtic noblewoman at Vix, Burgundy, France. Demonstrates elite trade connections with the Mediterranean.
La Tène
4 artifactsBasse-Yutz Flagons
450-400 BCE
A pair of ornate bronze wine flagons from Lorraine, France, decorated with coral, enamel, and duck/dog figurines. Among the finest early La Tène metalwork ever discovered, blending Celtic, Etruscan, and Greek motifs.
La Tène Gold Torc
350-250 BCE
A symbol of high status, this intricately crafted gold torc demonstrates the mastery of La Tène metalworkers with swirling designs and fine detailing.
Gundestrup Cauldron
200-100 BCE
A richly decorated silver ritual cauldron found in a peat bog in Denmark, with interior and exterior panels depicting Celtic deities, rituals, and mythological scenes including the antlered god Cernunnos.
Battersea Shield
350-50 BCE
A bronze shield facing recovered from the River Thames, featuring exquisite La Tène curvilinear decoration with repoussé roundels and red glass inlays. Likely a votive offering.
Gaul
4 artifactsGallic War Helmet
150-100 BCE
Worn by Gallic warriors, this helmet provided essential protection in battle while showcasing the warrior culture and skilled metalwork of the Celts.
Gallic Gold Stater
200-50 BCE
A gold stater coin minted by Gallic tribes, derived from Greek Macedonian prototypes but transformed with abstract Celtic art. Features stylized head and horse designs, demonstrating Gallic economic sophistication and artistic independence.
Carnyx of Tintignac
100-50 BCE
One of the best-preserved Celtic war trumpets (carnyx), discovered at Tintignac sanctuary in Correze, France. The vertical trumpet features a snarling boar head and was used to terrify enemies in battle.
Agris Helmet
350 BCE
An extraordinary ceremonial helmet covered in gold leaf with intricate coral and bronze ornamental bands, found in a cave near Agris, Charente, France. Combines Mediterranean and Celtic artistic traditions.
Archaeological Site Connections
Explore key Celtic archaeological sites across Europe where ancient samples in our database were discovered. Click on any site card to learn more about its history, discoveries, and significance.
Hallstatt Culture Sites
800-450 BCE — The emergence of early Celtic cultural identity
Magdalenenberg
Baden-Württemberg
620-550 BCELargest Hallstatt period burial mound in Central Europe, containing over 130 burials.
Lovosice
Bohemia
700-500 BCE
Hochdorf
Baden-Württemberg
550-500 BCE
Asperg Grafenbühl
Baden-Württemberg
6th century BCE
Heuneburg
Baden-Württemberg
600-500 BCE
Dunaalmás
Central Transdanubia
750-450 BCE
Hallstatt
Upper Austria
800-450 BCELa Tène Culture Sites
450-50 BCE — Height of Celtic artistic and cultural development
Prague-Jinonice
Bohemia
400-200 BCE
Stradonice
NW Bohemia
2nd-1st century BCE
Pottenbrunn
Lower Austria
450-200 BCE
Radovesice
Bohemia
350-150 BCEGaul & Gallo-Roman Sites
300 BCE - 400 CE — Celtic-Roman cultural fusion
Sarrebourg (Marxberg)
Grand Est
300-400 CELate Antiquity Gallo-Roman necropolis representing Celtic-Roman cultural fusion.
Celtic Historical Timeline
Journey through the ages of Celtic civilization from its earliest origins to its lasting legacy.
Proto-Celtic Period
The earliest identifiable Celtic cultures emerged from the Urnfield culture of central Europe. This period saw the development of distinctive Celtic languages and cultural practices.
Hallstatt Period
Named after discoveries at Hallstatt, Austria, this period marks the first clearly defined Celtic culture, characterized by iron working, salt mining, and trade with Mediterranean cultures.
La Tène Period
This period represents the height of Celtic cultural development, with distinctive art styles, advanced metalworking, and complex social structures spreading across Europe.
Celtic Expansion
Celtic peoples expanded throughout Europe, reaching as far as Anatolia and the British Isles. This was the most geographically widespread period for Celtic cultures.
Gallo-Roman Period
Celtic cultures on the European mainland became integrated into Roman civilization, creating hybrid Gallo-Roman cultures that preserved elements of Celtic traditions.
Celtic Cultural Legacies
Social Structure
Celtic societies were organized into tribal groups with a warrior aristocracy, druids, and commoners.
- Strong clan-based kinship systems
- Women enjoyed relatively high status
- Client-patron relationships
Religious Practices
Nature worship with sacred groves, rivers, and springs. Druids served as priests, judges, and keepers of oral tradition.
- Four major festivals: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh
- Belief in an afterlife
- Sacred calendar system
Artistic Traditions
Distinctive artistic styles with intricate geometric patterns, stylized animal forms, and abstract designs.
- Elaborate metalwork in gold and bronze
- Intricate knotwork patterns
- Curvilinear and spiral motifs
Warfare & Technology
Celtic warriors were renowned for their prowess using chariots, long swords, and advanced iron-working techniques.
- Introduction of chainmail armor
- Long slashing swords
- War chariots as mobile platforms
Sample Analysis
Detailed genetic analysis comparing your DNA to authenticated ancient Celtic samples.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
This visualization shows where your DNA falls in relation to ancient Celtic populations. Closer proximity indicates greater genetic similarity.
Distribution by Culture
Distribution by Region
Archaeological Samples Analysis
| Location | Period | Matched | Total | Culture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asperg "Grafenbuehl" (Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg), Germany | 500-480 BCE | 0 | 3 | Hallstatt |
| Central Bohemia. Prague 5. Prague-Jinonice (Holmanʼs Garden Centre), Czech Republic | 400-200 BCE | 3 | 28 | La Tène |
| Ditzingen-Schöckingen (Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg), Germany | 500-450 BCE | 0 | 1 | Hallstatt |
| Eberdingen-Hochdorf "Biegel" (Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg), Germany | 530-520 BCE | 0 | 4 | Hallstatt |
| Heuneburg (Baden-Württemberg, Herbertingen), Germany | 550-530 BCE | 0 | 2 | Hallstatt |
| Komárom-Esztergom county. Dunaalmás-Kavicsbánya, Hungary | 620-530 BCE | 0 | 1 | Hallstatt |
| Langenenslingen "Alte Burg" (Baden-Württemberg, Biberach), Germany | 400-200 BCE | 0 | 3 | Hallstatt |
| Lower Austria. St. Pölten. Pottenbrunn, Austria | 500-200 BCE | 0 | 3 | La Tène |
| Magdalenenberg (Baden-Württemberg, Villingen-Schwenningen), Germany | 616-530 BCE | 0 | 16 | Hallstatt |
| NW Bohemia. Chomutov. Poláky, Czech Republic | 800-550 BCE | 1 | 3 | Hallstatt |
| NW Bohemia. Litoměřice. Lovosice, Czech Republic | 909-592 BCE | 0 | 6 | Hallstatt |
| NW Bohemia. Louny. Stradonice, Czech Republic | 800-550 BCE | 0 | 4 | Hallstatt |
| NW Bohemia. Teplice. Bílina (Rudiay I/Maxim Gorkij), Czech Republic | 1117-931 BCE | 0 | 3 | Hallstatt |
| NW Bohemia. Teplice. Radosevice (Cemetery I), Czech Republic | 396-210 BCE | 0 | 11 | La Tène |
| NW Bohemia. Teplice. Radosevice (Cemetery II), Czech Republic | 290-180 BCE | 0 | 18 | La Tène |
| Sarrebourg. Marxberg Necropolis, France | 257-404 CE | 0 | 10 | Gaul |
| Total Samples | 4 | 116 | ||
Haplogroup Matches
Beyond genetic similarity, your maternal (mtDNA) and paternal (Y-DNA) lineages connect you to specific ancient Celtic individuals. These matches reveal direct-line ancestry connections through thousands of generations.
Maternal Lineage Matches (10)
These ancient Celtic individuals share your maternal haplogroup or closely related subclades, indicating a common maternal ancestor in your deep past.
Understanding Match Types
For comprehensive analysis of your maternal and paternal haplogroups, including migration histories, population distributions, and detailed ancient sample matches, visit the dedicated haplogroup reports.
Your Personal Guide
Understanding ancient DNA results can be complex. Our AI assistant helps you make sense of your connections, explaining what your results mean and placing them in historical context.
AI ASSISTANT by DNAGENICS
Enabled until 2027-02-25This AI analysis is limited to your Celtic heritage results. No additional data or personal information is included.
Learn More
How is my Celtic ancestry determined?
Your ancestry is determined by analyzing specific genetic markers and comparing them to reference populations known to have Celtic origins. We examine thousands of genetic variants across your genome and compare them with our database of ancient DNA samples recovered from Celtic archaeological sites.
What does the Celtic Index percentage mean?
The Celtic Index represents the proportion of your DNA that shows similarity to ancient Celtic populations. A higher percentage indicates stronger genetic connections to people who lived in Celtic territories during the Hallstatt and La Tène periods (approximately 1200 BCE to 50 CE).
Is there a difference between genetic and cultural Celtic identity?
Yes. Genetic Celtic ancestry refers to biological connections with people who lived in Celtic territories thousands of years ago. Cultural Celtic identity refers to connections with Celtic traditions, languages, and practices that may or may not coincide with genetic ancestry.
How accurate is this genetic analysis?
Our analysis compares your DNA with authenticated ancient samples using current scientific methodologies. While highly reliable, the results are based on available reference populations and analytical methods, which continue to evolve as more ancient DNA samples are recovered.
What if my Celtic percentage is low or zero?
A low Celtic percentage simply means your genetic ancestry likely stems primarily from other populations. Remember that Celtic groups were just one of many populations in prehistoric Europe, and many present-day Europeans show stronger connections to other ancestral groups.
Gaulish
A Continental Celtic language spoken in what is now France until around the 5th century CE.
- carros (wagon) ? English "car"
- bracae (trousers) ? English "breeches"
Irish (Gaeilge)
A Goidelic Celtic language with approximately 1.7 million speakers, official language of Ireland.
Welsh (Cymraeg)
A Brittonic Celtic language with approximately 750,000 speakers, the oldest continuously used Celtic language.
Scottish Gaelic
A Goidelic Celtic language spoken in the Scottish Highlands with approximately 60,000 speakers.
137 ancient human genomes from across the Eurasian steppes
"For thousands of years the Eurasian steppes have been a centre of human migrations and cultural change. Here we sequence the genomes of 137 ancient humans (about 1× average coverage), covering a period of 4,000 years, to understand the population history of the Eurasian steppes after the Bronze Age migrations. We find that the genetics of the Scythian groups that dominated the Eurasian steppes throughout the Iron Age were highly structured, with diverse origins comprising Late Bronze Age herders, European farmers and southern Siberian hunter-gatherers. Later, Scythians admixed with the eastern steppe nomads who formed the Xiongnu confederations, and moved westward in about the second or third century BC, forming the Hun traditions in the fourth-fifth century AD, and carrying with them plague that was basal to the Justinian plague. These nomads were further admixed with East Asian groups during several short-term khanates in the Medieval period. These historical events transformed the Eurasian steppes from being inhabited by Indo-European speakers of largely West Eurasian ancestry to the mostly Turkic-speaking groups of the present day, who are primarily of East Asian ancestry."
View in DNAGENICS View PublicationLarge-scale migration into Britain during the Middle to Late Bronze Age
"Present-day people from England and Wales have more ancestry derived from early European farmers (EEF) than did people of the Early Bronze Age1. To understand this, here we generated genome-wide data from 793 individuals, increasing data from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age in Britain by 12-fold, and western and central Europe by 3.5-fold. Between 1000 and 875 BC, EEF ancestry increased in southern Britain (England and Wales) but not northern Britain (Scotland) due to incorporation of migrants who arrived at this time and over previous centuries, and who were genetically most similar to ancient individuals from France. These migrants contributed about half the ancestry of people of England and Wales from the Iron Age, thereby creating a plausible vector for the spread of early Celtic languages into Britain. These patterns are part of a broader trend of EEF ancestry becoming more similar across central and western Europe in the Middle to the Late Bronze Age, coincident with archaeological evidence of intensified cultural exchange2-6. There was comparatively less gene flow from continental Europe during the Iron Age, and the independent genetic trajectory in Britain is also reflected in the rise of the allele conferring lactase persistence to approximately 50% by this time compared to approximately 7% in central Europe where it rose rapidly in frequency only a millennium later. This suggests that dairy products were used in qualitatively different ways in Britain and in central Europe over this period."
View in DNAGENICS View PublicationEvidence for dynastic succession among early Celtic elites in Central Europe
"The early Iron Age (800 to 450 BCE) in France, Germany and Switzerland, known as the 'West-Hallstattkreis', stands out as featuring the earliest evidence for supra-regional organization north of the Alps. Often referred to as 'early Celtic', suggesting tentative connections to later cultural phenomena, its societal and population structure remain enigmatic. Here we present genomic and isotope data from 31 individuals from this context in southern Germany, dating between 616 and 200 BCE. We identify multiple biologically related groups spanning three elite burials as far as 100 km apart, supported by trans-regional individual mobility inferred from isotope data. These include a close biological relationship between two of the richest burial mounds of the Hallstatt culture. Bayesian modelling points to an avuncular relationship between the two individuals, which may suggest a practice of matrilineal dynastic succession in early Celtic elites. We show that their ancestry is shared on a broad geographic scale from Iberia throughout Central-Eastern Europe, undergoing a decline after the late Iron Age (450 BCE to ~50 CE)."
View in DNAGENICS View PublicationYour Heritage Summary
A shareable snapshot of your ancient Celtic genetic connections.
Celtic Heritage
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Archaeological Site
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Celtic Culture
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Overview
About This Culture
Historical Significance
Key Characteristics
Notable Artifacts
Cultural Artifact
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