ABSTRACT
Continental influences There has long been speculation on the amount of contact that existed between Britain and France at the beginning of the first millennium. A dense concentration of Hallstatt C cavalry swords in the lower Thames valley is especially noticeable. In other places like South Cadbury (Somerset) and Staple Howe (Yorks) continental razors were found. Whilst these objects can be easily explained by way of trade or gift exchange, intermarriage or warfare, we should be aware that there may have been incursions from the continent by small Celtic bands of more warlike adventurers, as well as traders and smiths. Some of the earliest Iron Age pottery in southern central England is very different from the preceding Deverel-Rimbury material, indicating a marked change in tradition; this is difficult to explain without suggesting the arrival of newcomers from the continent, probably also bringing with them the Celtic language. In particular, pottery of the mid-eighth century copies, on a much smaller scale, the metal cauldrons and other vessels produced on the continent. Bi-conical bowls, sometimes with omphalos (indented) bases, are totally new to the British scene, although they are found side by side with bucket and barrel-shaped vessels continuing in the local Bronze Age tradition.
