The ancient writer Diodorus Siculus reported:
"In ancient times these two peoples, namely the Iberians and the Celts, kept warring among themselves over land. But when later they arranged their differences and settled upon the land altogether, and when they went further and agreed to intermarriage with each other, because of such intermixture, the two peoples received the appellation Celtiberian. And since it was two powerful nations that united and the land of theirs was fertile, it came to pass that the Celtiberians advanced far in fame."


Beginning around 700 BC, large groups of Celtic peoples began crossing the Pyrenees Mountains from Gaul into the Iberian peninsula. These tribes were moving under the pressure of population expansion, and were looking for new territory with fertile soil and rich pastures. In the beginning, it may be supposed they settled in the lush river valleys of the northern regions, displacing much of the native population. Though these Celts had become pastoral farmers, they brought with them their fierce and warlike heritage.

As more and more newcomers arrived, and the existing Celtic population thrived, they expanded westward and down the coast into the regions known today as Galicia (in northwest Spain) and Portugal to the south. Native populations were subdued and enslaved or driven into the poorer areas of the country, primarily the rocky uplands which were best suited for grazing of sheep and goats. By 400 BC, the Iberian peninsula was predominantly Celtic. Tribe and clan holdings dotted the river valleys and the coasts. Various types of grain were grown on small farming plots, while cattle, pigs and sheep were raised on the open range. There was also time for arts and beauty, as attested to by a number of archaeological treasures unearthed over the years.

One very interesting aspect of the Celtiberians was their funerary practices. Like many other Celtic groups, they practised cremation of the dead. However, the Celtiberians recovered the ashes and placed them in a special funerary urn. For the general population, the urns were fairly simple. However, those of the nobility could be quite ornate. The Dama of Elche (on the left - graphic by Cyhiraeth Volcae) was discovered by archaeologists in 1897, at a site called La Alcuda. This figure dates from the fourth century, BCE. A similar sculpted urn, depicting a seated woman, was found at Baza, northwest of Grenada.

At several locations, the Celts set up extensive mining operations, extracting tin, copper, iron, silver and gold from the land. There was a healthy trade with the Greeks and Phoenicians. New Carthage (Cartagena) is mentioned in several of the "Histories" as a place of trade. It offered a sheltered port and easy access to the silver from the nearby mountains (Argenterus Mons). The Bastitani and the Contestani were two of wealthiest tribes in the area.

Though the Celts were not known for building large "cities", they came together several time a year to celebrate their festivals. Major gatherings were held at Beltane (May 1) and Samhain (November 1). These were, respectively, a celebration of life and rebirth, and a reverencing of death and the ancestors. Smaller festivals were held at Imbolc (Spring equinox) and Lughnasa (Autumnal equinox). Some of the major centers or gathering points for the Celts were Brigantium, Lugo, and Braga.

Brigantium was the legendary home of the Milesians. It was from this place in the northwest part of Iberia that the sons of Milesius set sail for Ireland. According to the old legends, Ith, the uncle of Milesius, climbed a tall tower in the city on one cold winter night. From his lofty perch, he spied Ireland. He set out with a contingent of warriors to investigate and conquer this new land. In a battle with the natives, Ith was killed. The warriors returned home and Milesius was angered. He sent his nine sons, each with a band of warriors, to extract justice. They arrived at the mouth of the River Bionne on Beltaine (May 1) of the year 2452 BC. [This date is quite preposterous, considering the Celts did not arrive in Iberia until some 1700 years later. A more logical date would be some time around 300 BC to 150 BC.] In several battles, the sons of the Mil finally defeated the natives and took control of the Island.

Though this makes for a fine story, it is thought that pressures from an expanding population and competition for farming and grazing land, are what drove these people to undertake such a hazardous voyage.

Though the Celts themselves have all but vanished from the Iberian peninsula, their heritage and influence is still strong. There are many examples of the old language to be found in some item and place-names. The old Celtiberian language used a variation of the Phoenician alphabet, and appears to have been used mainly by the Druids. The language died out around 100 BC, as a result of Roman pressures. To this day, it has not been fully deciphered.

The universal Celtic love of music and dance lives on in many areas of Galicia. Folk-dances in this region are quite similar to those of Ireland and Scotland. Musical rhythms and melodic patterns also show some interesting similarities. The Celt-Iberians even have a bagpipe which gives a sound near to that of the uillean pipes of Ireland. Each year, Galicia sends representatives to the Pan-Celtic Festival in Lorient, Brittany.