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Celtic homes would have always had a fire as a centre welcoming point. It was mainly used as a source of heat for the entire house but also doubled as a stove. A clay vase built into the middle of the floor would have served as a fire and would have stopped accidents and ashes being spread about. The fire would have been kept burning 24 hours a day. To be caught without a fire would have been a social disgrace. Over the fire a cauldron would have been suspended on a tripod with an adjustable chain. Cauldrons would have been made out of bronze, but some richer Celts would have ones made of iron. It would have been one of the most important items in the house, as hospitality required you to feed guest on arrival, therefore found was being cooking all of the time. Food would have been gathered and placed in a very tough and light basket. Willow would have been used as it was easily woven into intricate shapes when green then left to dry and season. Storage containers were usually clay pots and were widely used around the home, sometimes for holding the cremated remains in burials. Cups and bowls were made from oak and other fine woods. They were made by being turned on a pole lathe along with spoons, tubs and buckets. Ale would have been drunk from drinking horns as they would could hold large quantities of liquid. These were taken from cattle after they had been slaughtered. Once cleaned and polished they were decorated with metal mountings and usually buried with their owners. Roundhouses were ideal places for drying herbs and preserving food. Herbs were used in flavouring food and medicines. Meat and fish were hung up in the roof of the house where it would preserve and gain flavour amongst the warmth and smoke. Herbs and grain were ground using a quern or grind stone. Querns were made from 2 components, a small stone, held in the hand, and a large stone, where food was placed ready for being ground. Celts would have had many items of furniture, such as stools, tables and chests. These would have been made out of wood and leather. Beds were made from a raised oak frame with a hazel sleeping surface, which would give the bed a slight spring. Mattresses of hay and feathers were put onto beds then were covered with sheepskins. Skins such as sheep, cow and deer would most likely have been used for floor coverings, but this can not be confirmed as they would have rotted and disappeared over time. |