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Carnyx

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Carnyx from the recently discoved Tintignac group

Three carnyx players are depicted at right on plate E of the Gundestrup cauldron.

The carnyx was a wind instrument of the Iron Age Celts, used between c. 200 BC and c. AD 200. It was a

type of bronze trumpet with an elongated S shape, held so that the long straight central portion was

vertical and the short mouthpiece end section and the much wider bell were horizontal in opposed

directions. The bell was styled in the shape of an open-mouthed boar's, or other animal's, head. It was

used in warfare, probably to incite troops to battle and intimidate opponents, as Polybius recounts. The

instrument's upright carriage allowed it to be heard over the heads of the participants in battles or

ceremonies. The carnyx was not used by Celts exclusively; its use is attested for Dacia, and it was

probably common all over Iron Age Europe.[1]

Contents

1 Etymology

2 Historical record

2.1 Archaeology

2.2 Depiction in sculpture

2.3 Literature

3 Modern reconstructions

4 Gallery of reconstructions and reenactors

5 In film

6 See also

7 Notes

8 References

9 External links

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Etymology

The word carnyx is derived from the Gaulish root, "carn-" or "cern-" meaning "antler" or "horn," and

the same root of the name of the god, Cernunnos.[2] This is the name the Romans gave to the

instrument. The original Celtic name is unknown. Even under torture, Carnyx players would not reveal

the Celtic name of the instrument to the Romans.[citation needed] The plural is "carnyces" or

"carnyxes".

Historical record

The serpent head from Tintignac

Archaeology

Until 2004, fragments of only five carnyces had been preserved, from modern Scotland, France,

Germany, Romania and Switzerland, but in November 2004 archaeologists discovered a first-century-BC

deposit of five far more complete and well preserved, though deconstructed, carnyxes under a Gallo-

Roman fanum at Tintignac in Corrze, France. Four had boar's heads, the fifth appears to be a serpent-

like monster; they appear to represent a ritual deposit dating to soon after the Roman conquest of

Gaul.[3] The Tintignac finds enabled some fragments found in northern Italy decades before to be

identified in 2012 as coming from a carnyx.[4]

The only example from the British Isles is the Deskford Carnyx, found at the farm of Leitchestown,

Deskford, Banffshire, Scotland in 1816. Only the boar's head bell survives, also apparently placed as a

ritual deposit. It was donated to Banff Museum, and is now on loan from Aberdeenshire Museums

Service to the Museum of Scotland. The location and age of the Deskford Carnyx suggests the

instrument had a peaceful, ceremonial use and was not only used in warfare. Before 2004 this was the

best surviving example, and generally copied in earlier reconstructions.[5]

Depiction in sculpture

The instrument is known from depictions on coins and reliefs, notably from Trajan's Column and the so-

called initiation scene of the Gundestrup cauldron.

Literature

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The name is known from textual sources, carnyces are reported from the Celtic attack on the Delphi in

279 BC, as well as from Julius Caesar's campaign in Gaul and Claudius' invasion of Britain. Diodorus

Siculus around 60-30 BC said (Histories, 5.30):

"Their trumpets again are of a peculiar barbarian kind; they blow into them and produce a harsh

sound which suits the tumult of war"

Carnyx of Tintignac, discovered in Corrze, France.

The Leichestown Deskford carnyx & reconstruction, Museum of Scotland

The Leichestown Deskford carnyx head

Piece from a carnyx

Modern reconstructions

"Carnyx Trumpet Call"

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Recording of a reconstruction of the Deskford carnyx.

Problems playing this file? See media help.

The reconstruction of the Deskford Carnyx was initiated by Dr. John Purser, and commenced in 1991

funded jointly by the Glenfiddich Living Scotland award and the National Museums of Scotland. In

addition to John Purser as musicologist, the team comprised the archaeologist Fraser Hunter, silversmith

John Creed, and trombonist John Kenny. After 2,000 years of silence the reconstructed Deskford Carnyx

was unveiled at the National Museum of Scotland in April 1993.

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In 1993 John Kenny became the first person to play the carnyx in 2,000 years, and has since lectured and

performed on the instrument internationally, in the concert hall, on radio, television, and film. There are

numerous compositions for the carnyx and it's featured on 7 CDs. On March 15, 2003 he performed solo

to an audience of 65,000 in the Stade De France, Paris.

Gallery of reconstructions and reenactors

Swiss reenactor

French museum display

The Deskford reconstruction at the Museum of Scotland

German reconstructions

French reconstruction

In film

The carnyx is featured in several battle scenes of the French film, "Druids" (2001). A carnyx appears near

the beginning of the 2012 Pixar computer animated movie Brave.

See also

Dord (musical instrument), another type of Celtic trumpet which has been revived

Notes

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^ Hunter

^ Delmarre, 1987, pp. 106107

^ Press report

^ UPI.com Carnyx identified in Italy

^ Hunter

References

Delmarre, Xavier (2003) Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise (2nd ed.) Paris: Editions Errance. ISBN 2-

87772-237-6

Hunter, Fraser (of Museum of Scotland), The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, reprint of piece

by Hunter on the carnyx

External links

Ancient Celtic music in the Citizendium

Carnyx and co. Carnyx music.

Tintignac discoveries (in French, with photos)

Carnyx on a gold stater of Caesar and on a silver denarius, both from 48