Witham Shield: Dating From 400-300 BC

This Celtic shield from the Iron Age, dating back to 400-300 BC, was discovered in the River Witham near Lincoln.

It’s the only Iron Age shield made completely from bronze ever to have been found in Britain or Europe.

The shield was unearthed in 1826 from the River Witham, near the villages of Washingborough and Fiskerton in Lincolnshire.

Subsequent excavations in the area uncovered wooden posts, believed to be remnants of an ancient causeway, along with various artefacts such as a sword, spears, and part of a human skull with a sword fragment embedded in it.

Today, the shield is located in the British Museum.

The Witham Shield exemplifies the La Tène style of Celtic art, featuring bronze facings that show signs of having been reworked.

Its most prominent feature is the central dome, which served a practical purpose by allowing the bearer to grip the shield closer to its centre of gravity.

Originally, a leather silhouette of a long-legged wild boar was riveted around the dome, as suggested by small rivet holes and staining on the shield.

When the shield was first recovered from the River Witham, the discolouration clearly revealed the boar design (see 1863 drawing).

Although traces of the pattern are still visible under certain lighting, the boar is now difficult to discern.

It may have represented a tribal symbol, showcased the owner’s prowess, or symbolized the Celtic god Moccus.

The shield's design also incorporates various animals and birds, with the roundels at each end resembling bird heads, supported by wing-eared horses.

Engraved birds, possibly crested grebes, appear along the central spine, completing the intricate detailing across the shield.

The shield was originally crafted from wood, now long decayed, following a design known as the "Gaulish Shield," which dates back to the 7th century BC.

What survives is the nearly complete bronze facing that once covered its wooden core.

The bronze sheeting is extremely thin, measuring just 0.2-0.3 mm, and was fitted over a wooden backing estimated to have been about 8 mm thick.

The shield is composed of two main sheets, each slightly over a metre long, meeting at the midpoint.

The join between these sheets is uneven, concealed by a covering strip.

A central spindle-shaped boss adorns the shield, decorated with fragments of red coral, likely sourced from the Mediterranean.

The shield has been hailed as a "tour de force" of bronze craftsmanship. It is the only known surviving example of a complete bronze-faced shield in Europe, largely due to the rarity of such designs.

Celtic shields were typically made from uncovered wood, making this bronze sheathing an exceptional find.

The choice to cover the shield in bronze may suggest influences from Greek or Etruscan cultures.

It shares similarities with other shields from the same era discovered in Britain, such as the Chertsey Shield and the Battersea Shield, both of which were also found in rivers.

What was the purpose of an Iron Age shield?

Iron Age shields were primarily defensive tools used by warriors in battle, but they held a significance beyond mere protection.

Crafted from wood and often reinforced with metal, these shields were central to the warrior's combat strategy.

When held up, the shield could absorb or deflect blows from spears, swords, or arrows, allowing the bearer to survive direct confrontations.

Warriors typically used their shields to create formations, especially in close combat, where group defence was essential for survival.

In some cases, shields were designed with metal bosses or umbos at their center, which allowed them to be used offensively.

The warrior could thrust the shield forward, using the boss to strike an opponent or unbalance them, providing an opening for attack.

The size and shape of shields also varied depending on the region and culture, reflecting different combat styles, such as Celtic and Roman influences.

Shields also had ceremonial and symbolic roles.

Elaborate designs and decorations on shields were not just for battle intimidation but could represent a warrior's status or achievements.

Shields were sometimes buried with warriors as part of funerary practices, symbolising their prowess and identity in life.

Thus, the Iron Age shield was a multifunctional object, blending practicality in warfare with broader cultural and social significance.

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