[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":25},["ShallowReactive",2],{"zoom:p1ch4z4:en":3},{"period":4,"chapter":15,"zoom":18},{"id":5,"title":6,"titleEn":6,"titleEs":7,"range":8,"rangeEn":8,"rangeEs":9,"cover":10},"p1","Prehistory","Prehistoria","≈ 1,000,000 BC → 600 BC","≈ 1 000 000 a. C. → 600 a. C.",{"fileName":11,"filePageUrl":12,"imageUrl":13,"sourceLabel":14},"Lascaux, horse.JPG","https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lascaux%2C%20horse.JPG","/assets/p1-prehistoire-cover.png","Wikimedia Commons",{"id":16,"title":17},"p1ch4","The Age of Metals",{"id":19,"title":20,"chapterId":16,"html":21,"hasEn":22,"isFallback":23,"seoDescription":24},"p1ch4z4","The Torque: Jewelry, Divinity, and Power","\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🔱 The ultimate Celtic symbol\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>If there is one object that embodies the identity of Iron Age peoples in France, it is the \u003Cstrong>torque\u003C/strong>. This rigid neck ring, open or closed, circular in shape, is worn around the neck.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>The word comes from the Latin \u003Cem>torquere\u003C/em> (“to twist”), as many of these ornaments were made from twisted metal wires.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>👑 A sign of social status\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>The torque was not just a piece of jewelry—it was a mark of distinction:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Gold\u003C/strong>: Reserved for kings, princes, and high-ranking warriors\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Bronze or silver\u003C/strong>: Worn by noble men and women\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>It acted as a kind of “social passport”: at a glance, one could identify a person’s clan and social rank.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Rijksmuseum_van_Oudheden%2C_schatten_uit_Limburg%2C_gouden_torque_Heerlen.JPG?width=512\" alt=\"Gold torque\">\u003Cbr>\n\u003Cem>Solid gold torque, reflecting the wealth and refined craftsmanship of Celtic goldsmiths.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🦌 The necklace of the gods\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>The torque also had a sacred dimension. In many ancient sculptures and ritual objects, Celtic gods are depicted wearing torques.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>The most famous is \u003Cstrong>Cernunnos\u003C/strong>, the horned god (associated with nature and abundance), often shown holding a torque in one hand and wearing another around his neck. Wearing a torque also meant placing oneself under divine protection.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>⚔️ The torque in battle\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Ancient texts describe some Gaulish warriors going into battle naked, wearing only a torque around their neck. For them, it was a display of absolute courage and a form of magical protection against injury.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🧠 Key takeaways\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>The iconic jewel of the \u003Cstrong>Celts/Gauls\u003C/strong>\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>A symbol of \u003Cstrong>political power\u003C/strong> and wealth\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>A strong \u003Cstrong>sacred and religious\u003C/strong> dimension\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>📸 Image credits\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Gold torque — Kleon3, \u003Ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\">CC BY-SA 4.0\u003C/a>, via Wikimedia Commons\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n",true,false,"If there is one object that embodies the identity of Iron Age peoples in France, it is the torque . This rigid neck ring, open or closed, circular in shape, is",1778543142703]