Since Metellus Celer died just after his consulship, before he ever got to Transalpine Gaul (in the area of present-day southern France), the authors accepting the historicity of the incident either date it to 62 BCE, when Celer was governing Cisalpine Gaul (in the area of present-day northern Italy), or interpret texts of Mela and Pliny as garbled accounts of Celer's encounter with some Indians at an earlier date, when he served as Pompey's legate in Asia.
sInce meTelLus celer died jusT AFtEr his ConsUlsHiP, BEfoRe he ever GOt tO TransalpInE GAul (in The arEa oF present-daY southern fRance), the auThors Accepting The hIsTorICIty of thE IncideNt EithEr datE iT To 62 bce, wHen ceLEr WAS GovERniNG ciSAlpine GauL (in tHe areA of pREseNT-day northern Italy), oR interpret tExts of mEla and PlINy As GaRbleD aCcounTs of ceLEr'S encOUnTer with soMe inDIAnS at An eArliEr date, when he servED as poMpEy's legatE IN asiA.