I was mesmerised by this celtic war trumpet, but even more mesmerised when I saw a video of someone playing it.

[ciarani@mastodon.green]

I was mesmerised by this celtic war trumpet, but even more mesmerised when I saw a video of someone playing it. Until I heard it, I'd have assumed it made a monotone bellow. But the carnyx played varied, lighter notes. It sounded musical. Which somehow made the thought even more terrifying, of being gathered around the fire, telling stories one Iron Age night, and suddenly you hear this beautiful sinister music in the dark air, telling you a horde of Celtic warriors are about to attack.

[tanyakaroli@expressional.social]

@CiaraNi It is so beautifully made! It doesn’t look like anything made for war; it looks rather poetic. Strange how often the tools for war have been made with an eye to beauty as well. To instill pride in the warriors, I guess?

[ciarani@mastodon.green]

@tanyakaroli

"It doesn’t look like anything made for war; it looks rather poetic."

It does! You see it, admire it, admire the craftwork of it, admire the near-lyrical sound, then get startled by the contrast when you read the explanatory plaque headed 'Celtic trails of blood'. That goes on to describe the 'brutal chaos' that follows the sounding of the 'ominous war trumpet'.

Making it so lovely, the carved head
- perhaps that was indeed to instill pride in the warriors, as you say.