A Gaulish inscription found carved in a stone from Alise-Sainte-Reine
The stone, found near Alise-Sainte-Reine (which is believed by most scholar to be the site of the famed Battle of Alesia where Julius Caesar defeated Vercingetorix) is one of the most iconic Gaulish inscriptions both due to its happenstance connection to a famous site and its remarkable condition.
Fully transcribed, the stone reads:
MARTIALIS DANNOTALI IEVRV VCVETE SOSIN CELICNON ETIC GOBEDBI DVGIIONTIIO VCVETIN IN [...?] ALISIIA
Which has been variably translated as:
Martialis, son of Dannotalos dedicates this celicnon? to Ucuetis together with the smiths, who (worship) Ucuetis in Alesia
The meaning of the word celicnon is unclear. The stone was found by the remains of a particular building and some think this building is a "celicnon". Given the religious dedication, some have speculated that the celicnon is a sort-of temple while others have have supposed it to be a smithy considering that a group of smiths erected it.
Others have simply translated celicnon as "edifice"
The Ucuetis mentioned in the text is believed to be the name of a local deity. This inscription along with others seem to indicate that he was associated with craftsmen.
