The celt axe is one of the exhibits in the Adygeysk Museum of Local Lore that arouses special interest and admiration among visitors. In 1995, it was presented to the museum by Arambiy Khazretovich Tlekhurai from Nechereziy village in the Teuchezhsky district of the Republic of Adygea.

The celt is a tool characteristic of the Bronze Age and a prototype of the modern axe. The name of this ancient tool could have originated from the Latin word “celte” or “celtis” — chisel or from the name of a people — the Celts. However, bronze axes were found in countries where the Celtic people have never been, and in layers predating the existence of the Celtic people.

The oldest сelt axes were flat and had no eye. They were similar in shape to stone axes. In the future, celt axes underwent many experiments and improvements. For example, eyelets for tying them to sticks were added. Most celts were used both as tools and as weapons. However, some were used as chisels, picks or spades.

These tools were cast in stone molds. The celt’s size and weight varied. It could have a geometric pattern (zigzags, stripes, triangles, squares). Occasionally small almost toy-like celt axes were found.

Some sources indicate that celt axes were used in battle. The axe head was attached to the handle with rawhide leather straps passed through eyelets. Such weapons were used for close combat. Special loops were used to secure the celt battle axe on the warrior’s belt.

There are few celt axes found in the European part of Russia, mostly in the south, on the sites of ancient Greek colonies, where several molds for casting axes were also found. Celt axes were also found in the East, in the Urals, in Siberia and especially in the Minusinsk region. Celts made of iron, with simpler builds, flat or with a socket on the side were found there.