Celtic Trade Hub Also Restrained Slaves

Archaeologists in Allonnes, France uncovered evidence of iron restraints used on wrists and ankles at a major Celtic trade center dating back to the Iron Age. The site, located in the Loire Valley, was a thriving settlement spanning 10 to 20 hectares with workshops, homes, and a religious sanctuary. Excavations revealed the town produced weapons, tools, and horse fittings, alongside the unusual discovery of shackles.

These restraints suggest the possibility that enslaved people were traded through Allonnes alongside other goods like wine and metal. While slavery isn't confirmed, the shackles offer rare physical evidence of a marginalized group often absent from archaeological records. Additionally, researchers found deliberately damaged offerings at the religious sanctuary, with weapons and coins broken to remove their practical use and ensure dedication to the gods.

The artifacts are currently undergoing conservation in Nantes, and further study could reveal more about the complex social dynamics of Allonnes.