- Preface -
dangers of their extinction. It is for the reader to decide whether or not it is possible
to make links between the Celts of the first millennium Be and the present day.
Contributors have been given the freedom to approach their own subjects as
they have wished, and no attempt has been made to introduce any kind of academic
uniformity nor to impose the views of the editor: indeed, it is felt that the retention
of individuality is an important aspect of a multi-author work of this kind. The
different viewpoints of each writer mean that any points of overlap between contri-
butions have caused no concerns over repetition. There is, too, a certain diversity
in bibliographical referencing: most authors have adopted the Harvard system,
but a few chapters are supported by footnotes. In addition, the varied nature of the
disciplines involved means that, whilst the chapters which deal with archaeology and
art may be fully illustrated, the more literary contributions often require little, if any,
visual material.
I should like to offer my warmest thanks to all the authors for their valuable
contributions, and to the staff at Routledge, particularly Andrew Wheatcroft, Moira
Taylor, Diana Grivas, Joanne Tinson and Margaret Deith.
XXIIIMiranda J. Green
June 1994