This paper offers new perspectives for improving our knowledge of arthropods in wet and aerobic archaeological contexts. The very-near environment of uncleaned buried bronze artefacts, two ronde-bosse ornaments of a Celtic grave from the Iron Age (275 to 250 BC, La Fosse-Cotheret, Roissy-en-France), was studied by means of optical and scanning electron microscopies. Taking into account recent knowledge on bronze corrosion (decuprification), this micro-investigation (micro-archaeology) allowed identification of two fossilized arthropods-Cryptophagus sp. (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cryptophagidae) andCoccotydaeolus sp. (Acari, Tydaeoidea, Iolinidae)-which sheds some light upon the complex taphonomic process that occurred after the burial of a Celtic chariot. These first results support the idea that the local corroded metal/soil system has to be investigated for a better understanding of archaeological microenvironments. Efficient minute investigation of soiled bronzes could be performed prior to systematic cleaning of artefacts.

RésuméL’extension celtique trouve son apogée aux IVeet IIIesiècles avant J.-C. avec la conquête de nouveaux territoires aux marges des mondes romain et hellénistique. Cette période est souvent négligée par les historiens parce qu’on n’en retient que les raids des barbares ou le mercenariat qui trouve son apogée au IVesiècle, mais pas les mouvements de colonisation. De plus la société celtique de cette époque se démarque radicalement des cultures méditerranéennes. Les importations sont beaucoup plus rares qu’aux siècles précédents, les tentatives d’urbanisation abandonnées. Le monde celtique devient résolument rural, l’artisanat, l’habitat, les sanctuaires sont dispersés dans les campagnes. L’art et la religion prennent des formes originales et cohérentes au-delà des variations locales. C’est une société de paysans et de guerriers, dominée par de grandes familles aristocratiques.

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The survey of nearly 700 sets of burial deposits, that is 4300 items, dating from La Tène A1 to La Tène D2 , in Picardy and on its fringes, has enabled us to establish a model allowing a hierarchical presentation of the data and of the various functional groups which appear in the graves, as well as facilitating a global approach. The personal possessions worn by or deposited alongside the deceased are represented by jewels, weapons, dress accessories and toilet or tool bags. Even if the social status of the deceased may be determined, in certain chrono-cultural levels, thanks to the type of accessories displayed, we cannot rely on any specific item which would indicate the position of the person in the group. Only the presence of weapons may attest both a social status and a military position. Diet is suggested both by edible goods and recipients belonging to table sets, or related to cooking and sometimes storage. Variations in shapes and numbers are typical here of changes in the way the pottery deposited in the burials was selected, and of the existence of different sorts of “ sets”, showing not only an evolution in dietary practices, but also a deliberate exercise of choice in the functions highlighted. The varied practical, functional and symbolic aspects observed in our corpus, in the periods from La Tène A1 to La Tène D2 in Picardy, are examples of the wide range of choice in the way the deceased were “ dressed up”, and in the offerings that accompany them. They also highlight some deep differences in the funerary rites which governed these offerings.

The greatest period of Celtic expansion occurred between the fourth and third centuries BC, with the conquest of new territories on the margins of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. Historians often underemphasize this period: while the barbarian raids and the rise of mercenary service in the fourth century BC are stressed, colonization is neglected. In addition, Celtic society at that time was radically different from those found in coeval Mediterranean cultures. Imports from the south were much less common than in previous centuries, and attempts at urbanization were abandoned. Celtic society became distinctly rural, with its craft industries, settlement, and sanctuaries dispersed throughout the countryside. Although there were local variations, art and religion assumed original and consistent characteristics. Celtic society was composed of peasants and warriors and dominated by large aristocratic families.