# Genomes of 4,587 ancient Europeans point to eastern central Europe as source of Celtic spread

- Published: 2026-11-15 06:12 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biology & biochemistry
- Tags: origin of Celtic languages, ancient genomes, 4,587 ancient individuals, Knovíz–Urnfield, Bell Beaker, Hallstatt, La Tène, Proto-Celtic, Nature study
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-0b86e1953b606468a5ecf12f_genomes_of_4/

**Authors compared ancient genomes with models of Celtic origins and consider the westward expansion from eastern central Europe, 3200–2800bp, the most parsimonious fit.**

![Genomes of 4,587 ancient Europeans point to eastern central Europe as source of Celtic spread](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/9072aff62d319d7e.png)
*nature.com*

A study published on nature.com analysed genome-wide data from 4,587 ancient individuals, mainly from Bronze and Iron Age Europe. The authors tested which proposed models of the Celtic language dispersal fit the reconstructed population history [1]. Dates are given in calibrated years before present (bp, relative to 1950 CE).

Today Celtic languages survive on Europe's Atlantic fringe in two groups: Goidelic (Irish, Manx, Scottish Gaelic) and Brittonic (Welsh, Cornish, Breton). In the Iron Age they were widespread: Lepontic is documented in northwestern Italy (2600–2100bp), Celtiberian in Iberia (2200–1900bp) and Gaulish across France, central Europe, northern Italy and the Balkans (2500–1400bp) [1].

## Four models of Celtic origin

The paper groups existing hypotheses into four models. The Bell Beaker model links the Celtic split to the Bell Beaker Complex (roughly 4750–4500 to 4000–3800bp). The Celtic-from-the-West model places Proto-Celtic in the maritime networks of the Atlantic Bronze Age (3300–2700bp), with a later eastward spread. The Celtic-from-the-Centre model locates it in inland France and possibly northwestern Italy 4000–3000bp. The fourth model points to eastern central Europe [1].

## Three demographic processes in the data

The authors identify three processes relevant to the Celtic dispersal. First, Steppe-related ancestry arrived with Bell Beaker-associated groups after about 4400bp across the region where Celtic and related languages were later spoken. Second, a movement from southwestern Europe into Britain occurred during the Bronze Age (3800–3200bp), consistent with scenarios of Celtic forming along the Atlantic façade [1].

Third, ancestry related to Late Bronze Age Knovíz–Urnfield-associated populations expanded westward from eastern central Europe (3200–2800bp). It affected France, the British Isles, northeastern Iberia and Italy, and was later associated with Iron Age Hallstatt and La Tène contexts [1].

All three movements have parallels with the proposed models. The authors argue that the last one is the most parsimonious for the spread of Celtic. They note that human history need not follow a parsimonious path and that language shifts need not track genetic change. In their words, the results delimit the demographic scenarios that are plausible for the emergence of Celtic [1].

## Sources

1. [nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-11198-9)
2. [ct24.ceskatelevize.cz](https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/veda/cechy-byly-zrejme-kolebkou-keltskeho-sveta-naznacuje-nova-studie-379589)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-0b86e1953b606468a5ecf12f_genomes_of_4/