Headhunt

The ancient Celts believed that the soul resided in the head, not the heart. Taking enemy heads was not, as the Romans believed, a barbaric act perpetrated by blood-crazed madmen, but a sign of respect. Enemy heads were washed, embalmed in cedar oil and placed on display to show a warrior’s prowess in battle. They were even used as votive offerings. Many embalmed heads have been discovered in rivers known to be sacred to the ancient Celts.