The British prehistoric period covering the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages
The British prehistoric period covers a long span of time, from the earliest human settlements in Britain to the end of the Iron Age. The Stone Age, also known as the Paleolithic period, lasted from about 2.5 million years ago to about 4000 BC. During this time, people in Britain were hunter-gatherers and made tools and weapons from stone. The Bronze Age, which lasted from about 2500 BC to 800 BC, saw the introduction of bronze tools and weapons. The Iron Age, which lasted from about 800 BC to 43 AD, was marked by the use of iron tools and the development of Celtic culture. All of these periods are important in understanding the history and development of the British Isles.
More about the Stone Age
The Stone Age, or Paleolithic period, lasted from about 2.5 million years ago to about 4000 BC. During this time, humans in Britain were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their sustenance. They made a variety of tools and weapons from stone, including flint knives, spears, and arrowheads. They also used stone to create axes and other tools for cutting and shaping wood.
The Stone Age saw the development of several important technological innovations, including the use of fire, the creation of clothing, and the development of language. It was also during this time that humans began to bury their dead, suggesting the emergence of spiritual beliefs.
The Stone Age is divided into three main periods: the Lower Paleolithic, the Middle Paleolithic, and the Upper Paleolithic. The Lower Paleolithic, which lasted from about 2.5 million to 300,000 years ago, saw the emergence of the first humans in Britain. The Middle Paleolithic, which lasted from about 300,000 to 30,000 years ago, saw the development of more sophisticated stone tools and the emergence of the Neanderthals in Britain. The Upper Paleolithic, which lasted from about 30,000 to 4000 BC, saw the arrival of modern humans in Britain and the development of even more advanced stone tools.
The Bronze Age
The Bronze Age, which lasted from about 2500 BC to 800 BC, saw the widespread use of bronze tools and weapons in Britain. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and it is much harder and more durable than copper. The Bronze Age was a time of great technological advancement, and the use of bronze allowed for the creation of more effective tools and weapons.
During the Bronze Age, Britain saw the development of complex societies and the emergence of urban centers. Bronze was used to make a variety of tools and weapons, including swords, spears, and axes, as well as jewelry and other decorative objects. The Bronze Age also saw the construction of large burial mounds, known as barrows, and the development of a system of writing known as hieroglyphics.
The Bronze Age is divided into two main periods: the Early Bronze Age and the Middle Bronze Age. The Early Bronze Age, which lasted from about 2500 BC to 1600 BC, saw the widespread use of bronze and the development of the first urban centers in Britain. The Middle Bronze Age, which lasted from about 1600 BC to 1100 BC, saw the emergence of more complex societies and the construction of larger burial mounds.
The Iron Age
The Iron Age, which lasted from about 800 BC to 43 AD, was a period of great change in Britain. During this time, iron tools and weapons became increasingly common, replacing bronze as the most widely used metal. The Iron Age saw the rise of the Celtic culture in Britain, as well as the Roman conquest of the island.
Iron is a much harder and more durable metal than bronze, and the use of iron tools and weapons allowed for the creation of more effective tools and weapons. The Iron Age also saw the development of more complex societies and the emergence of large hill forts and other fortified settlements.
The Iron Age is divided into three main periods: the Early Iron Age, the Middle Iron Age, and the Late Iron Age. The Early Iron Age, which lasted from about 800 BC to 400 BC, saw the widespread use of iron and the development of Celtic culture. The Middle Iron Age, which lasted from about 400 BC to 100 BC, saw the construction of larger hill forts and the emergence of more complex societies. The Late Iron Age, which lasted from about 100 BC to 43 AD, saw the Roman conquest of Britain and the spread of Roman culture on the island.
How did the way people live change from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
There were many changes in the way people lived in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. During the Stone Age, people were primarily hunter-gatherers and lived in small groups. They made their tools and weapons from stone, and their lives revolved around obtaining food and shelter.
As time passed, people began to settle in one place and develop more complex societies. In the Bronze Age, people began to use bronze tools and weapons, and they also developed systems of writing and complex religious beliefs. The Iron Age saw the rise of the Celtic culture in Britain, as well as the Roman conquest of the island.
One of the most significant changes from the Stone Age to the Iron Age was the development of agriculture. During the Stone Age, people relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their sustenance. In the Bronze Age and Iron Age, people began to grow crops and raise livestock, which allowed for the development of more complex societies and the emergence of urban centers.
Overall, the way people lived in Britain changed significantly from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, with the development of agriculture, the use of metal tools and weapons, and the rise of complex societies and cultures.
I’ve heard about the stone age and the iron age before but I didn’t know the details clearly. When I was younger all these topics were so interesting to me, but as I got older the history of the development of human beings got more interesting to me. ”How did the way people live change from the Stone Age to the Iron Age” I liked this part the most. thanks for sharing my friend. it is such a piece of great information that you shared with us.
Hi Liam,
I’m glad you found this interesting!
All the best,
Julia
Every time I think of the stone and iron Ages, I marvel at how man survived those periods. Shaping tools with stones must have been a lot of hard work. Although the iron age gave birth to agriculture and other skills it would have made little or no difference from the stone age where they had to shape tools with stones.
Hi Parameter,
Yes, it was such a different time wasn’t it?
I think when we really start to imagine it, it’s hard to think what people went through.
However, I also wonder if they thought they were very advanced and modern compared to previous generations.
All the best, Julia
Thank you for this interesting article. I always wonder how historians get the facts together when researching these periods that were so far back in history.
I also wonder how tough the human race was to be able to withstand the environment as well as making all their own tools, clothes and hunting for their own food. I am somehow glad I live in the age we live in and not way back then.
Great questions! (I did history for my degree and enjoy watching history programmes that talk about this – esp. updated methods that weren’t around in my time!)
Historians use a variety of methods to gather information about the Stone and Bronze Ages, even though these periods of history are so far in the past.
One of the main ways that historians gather information is by examining artefacts. These are objects that were made or used by people in the past, such as tools, weapons, pottery, and jewellery. By studying these artefacts, historians can learn about the types of materials that people used, the skills they had, and the ways they lived.
Another way that historians gather information is by examining written records, if they exist. For example, in ancient Egypt, scribes wrote on papyrus scrolls, which have survived to this day. These records can give historians a glimpse into the everyday lives of people who lived during that time period.
In addition to artefacts and written records, historians also use scientific methods to gather information. For example, they might use carbon dating to determine the age of an object, or they might use DNA analysis to learn more about the people who lived in a certain area.
It’s important to note that historians don’t always have all the answers, and there are still many mysteries surrounding the Stone and Bronze Ages. However, by using a variety of methods to gather information, historians can piece together a picture of what life was like during these fascinating periods of history.
And it’s pretty amazing to think about how tough our ancestors must have been in order to survive in the Stone and Bronze Ages! Life was definitely not easy for them, and they had to rely on their own skills and resources to make it through each day.
One of the biggest challenges that our ancestors faced was the environment. They had to contend with harsh weather conditions, dangerous animals, and limited food and water sources. But despite all of these challenges, they managed to adapt and survive.
One of the ways that our ancestors were able to survive was by making their own tools and clothing. They had to be creative and resourceful, using materials that were available to them in their surroundings. For example, they might have used animal hides to make clothing, or they might have used rocks to create sharp tools for hunting and farming.
In addition to making their own tools and clothing, our ancestors were also skilled hunters and gatherers. They had to be able to find food and water sources in their environment, and they had to be able to hunt and fish in order to feed themselves and their families.
It’s incredible to think about how tough our ancestors must have been in order to survive in such challenging conditions. They didn’t have the modern conveniences that we take for granted today, but they were able to rely on their own skills and ingenuity to make it through each day.