SPRINGS

The Celts were drawn to springs as places of mystery. The life-giving water came up out of the ground without any reason or cause, so it was supernatural: it must have a divine driving force. Springs often became associated with specific deities or sprites, and the water that flowed out was regarded as possessing special healing properties.

Some springs became major cult sites, such as the source of the Seine and Bath. Others were visited by pilgrims and were of no more than local significance, such as the Source des Roches de Chamalieres (south of Clermont Ferrand). A typical one was Les Fontaines Salees (Yonne), which offered mineral water with medicinal properties and was in use from the early Iron Age. In the first century AD it was developed with a formally paved pool in a circular enclosure; around it were the remains of an older oval structure. At the healing spring at Mavilly (Cote d’Or) several interesting objects were found, including a figure of Mars, a Celtic ram-homed snake, and a La Tene shield. Vichy was another healing spring sanctuary, which may have replaced the Chamalieres site. At Vichy, failing eyesight seems to have been the main health problem, but there was a bronze figure showing a twisted spine, so we have to assume people came with a wide range of problems, in the same way as they come today to a general hospital.

The evidence for cult spring sites in Britain is less obvious than in France, but there were such sites. The most important was the temple of Sulis at Bath, which had an international clientele, but there were many lesser sites for more local use as well. The Roman name for Buxton in Derbyshire was Aquae Amemefiae (the waters of the goddess who lives in the sacred grove). The healing springs at Buxton are close together on the valley floor and yield two different kinds of water. The Buxton springs are still noted for their mineral water.