Editing Celts (section)

===Trade and coinage===
Archaeological evidence suggests that the pre-Roman Celtic societies were linked to the network of overland [[trade route]]s that spanned Eurasia. Archaeologists have discovered large prehistoric trackways crossing bogs in Ireland and Germany. Due to their substantial nature, these are believed to have been created for wheeled transport as part of an extensive roadway system that facilitated trade.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Neolithic wooden trackways and bog hydrology |journal=Journal of Paleolimnology |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] Netherlands |volume=12 |issue=1 |date=January 1994 |pages=49–64 |doi=10.1007/BF00677989 |last1=Casparie |first1=Wil A. |last2=Moloney |first2=Aonghus |bibcode=1994JPall..12...49C |s2cid=129780014}}</ref> The territory held by the Celts contained [[tin]], lead, iron, silver and gold.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ar_r_wal.pdf |title=Regional Reviews: Wales |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110604092735/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ar_r_wal.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2011}}&nbsp;{{small|(369 KB)}} Beatrice Cauuet (Université Toulouse Le Mirail, UTAH, France)</ref> Celtic smiths and metalworkers created weapons and jewellery for [[international trade]], particularly with the Romans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffers |first=Regina |date=10 June 2014 |title=The Scope and Influence of The Ancient Celts |url= https://reginajeffers.blog/2014/06/10/the-scope-and-influence-of-the-ancient-celts/ |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=Every Woman Dreams... |language=en}}</ref>

The myth that the Celtic [[monetary system]] consisted of wholly [[barter]] is a common one, but is in part false. The monetary system was complex and is still not understood (much like the late Roman coinages), and due to the absence of large numbers of coin items, it is assumed that "proto-money" was used. This included bronze items made from the early La Tène period and onwards, which were often in the shape of [[axe]]heads, rings, or [[bell (instrument)|bells]]. Due to the large number of these present in some burials, it is thought they had a relatively high [[Value (economics)|monetary value]], and could be used for "day to day" purchases. Low-value coinages of [[potin]], a bronze alloy with high tin content, were minted in most Celtic areas of the continent and in South-East Britain prior to the Roman conquest of these lands. Higher-value coinages, suitable for use in trade, were minted in gold, silver, and high-quality bronze. [[Gold coin]]age was much more common than [[silver coin]]age, despite being worth substantially more, as while there were around 100 mines in Southern Britain and Central France, silver was more rarely mined. This was due partly to the relative sparsity of mines and the amount of effort needed for extraction compared to the profit gained. As the Roman civilisation grew in importance and expanded its trade with the Celtic world, silver and bronze coinage became more common. This coincided with a major increase in gold production in Celtic areas to meet the Roman demand, due to the high value Romans put on the metal. The large number of gold mines in France is thought to be a major reason why Caesar invaded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2021 |title=The Gallic Wars: How Julius Caesar Conquered Gaul (Modern France) |url= https://www.thecollector.com/gallic-wars-how-julius-caesar-conquered-gaul/ |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=TheCollector |language=en}}</ref>