Timeline of prehistoric Britain facts for kids
Imagine a time long, long ago, before history books were written! This is what we call prehistory. It's the story of Britain before people started writing things down. We learn about this amazing time from clues left behind, like old tools, bones, and ancient buildings. Scientists called archaeologists dig up these clues to piece together what life was like for the very first people in Britain, all the way up to 1 BC.
Contents
Britain's Ancient Past: A Timeline
The Stone Age: Early Humans and Ice Ages
The Stone Age is the earliest part of human history. People used tools made of stone.
First Footprints and Tools
Around 950,000 to 840,000 BC, some of the very first tools made by humans were found in south-eastern Britain. These were simple stone tools called flints.
About 800,000 BC, even older flint tools were found at Happisburgh. Amazing footprints from these early humans were also discovered there!
Around 700,000 BC, more early flint tools were found at Pakefield.
Oldest Human Remains
About 500,000 BC, the oldest known human remains in Britain were found at Eartham Pit, Boxgrove. This was a very exciting discovery!
Around 250,000 BC, the second oldest human remains were found at Swanscombe. This person was actually a woman, sometimes called "Swanscombe Man."
Britain Becomes an Island
About 180,000 BC, a big change happened: the English Channel formed. This separated Britain from mainland Europe, turning it into an island.
Life in the Ice Age
Around 26,000 BC, people lived in caves in Britain. They were part of the Upper Paleolithic period, which means "Old Stone Age."
The last major Ice Age finally ended around 10,000 BC. This made Britain a much warmer place to live.
The Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic)
The Mesolithic period began around 8300 BC. People in this time were hunters and gatherers. They moved around a lot to find food.
Around 7150 BC, the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain was found. He is known as Cheddar Man.
The New Stone Age (Neolithic): Farming Begins
The Neolithic period started around 4000 BC. This was a huge step forward for humans!
Farming and Monuments
For the first time, people in Britain started agriculture. They grew crops and kept animals. This meant they could stay in one place.
Around 3000 BC, the first henge monuments were built. These were large circular earthworks, often with stones or wooden posts.
Building Stonehenge
The main part of building Stonehenge began around 2600 BC. Before this, there were simpler wooden and earth structures.
The last construction work at Stonehenge happened around 1600 BC. It's an amazing mystery how these huge stones were moved!
The Bronze Age: Metal Tools and New Cultures
The Bronze Age began around 2300 BC. People learned to make tools and weapons from bronze, a mix of copper and tin.
The Beaker People
Around 2300 BC, a group known as the Beaker People arrived in Britain. They brought new ideas and skills, including how to work with metal.
Wessex Culture and Hillforts
About 1800 BC, the Wessex culture brought bronze-working to Britain. They were skilled metalworkers.
Around 1400 BC, the Wessex culture was replaced by people who focused more on farming. During this time, stone circles and early hillforts were built. Hillforts were settlements built on hills for protection.
The Iron Age: Iron Tools and Celtic Influence
The Iron Age started around 800 BC. Iron was stronger and more common than bronze, changing how people lived and fought.
Iron Working and Celts
Around 800 BC, the Celts arrived in Britain. They brought the skill of working with iron. This period is also linked to the Hallstatt Culture from Europe.
New Tribes and Structures
About 400 BC, the Parisi tribe from northern France settled in Yorkshire.
The first brochs were built around this time. Brochs are tall, round stone towers found mainly in Scotland.
Early Explorers
Around 330 BC, a Greek explorer named Pytheas of Massilia sailed all the way around Britain. He was one of the first to describe the island.
About 300 BC, beautiful La Tene artwork arrived in Britain from northern France. This art style is known for its swirling patterns.
First Coins and Invaders
Around 100 BC, the first wave of Belgic invaders settled in south-east Britain. They formed important tribes like the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes.
This was also when the first coins were used in Britain.
About 80 BC, a second wave of Belgic invaders arrived. They settled in places like Sussex, Berkshire, and Hampshire, forming tribes such as the Atrebates and Regnenses.
Roman Encounters: Caesar's Invasions
Caesar's First Visit
In 55 BC, a chieftain of the Atrebates tribe named Commius was captured by the British. He had been working as an envoy, or messenger, for Rome.
On August 26, Julius Caesar, a famous Roman general, landed in Britain between Deal and Walmer. He won some small fights against the British and helped free Commius.
On August 31, the British, using war-chariots, defeated the Romans. Caesar and his soldiers then returned to Gaul (modern-day France).
Caesar's Second Visit
In July 54 BC, Julius Caesar invaded Britain again. This time, he defeated the Catuvellauni tribe, led by Cassivellaunus.
In September, a peace agreement was made. The Catuvellauni agreed to pay a tribute (a payment) to Rome, and they allied with the Trinovantes. The Romans then went back to Gaul.
After Caesar
Around 50 BC, Commius returned to Britain after a failed revolt in Gaul. He became the chieftain of the Atrebates tribe.
In 34 BC, the Roman Emperor Octavian made an alliance with the Atrebates and Trinovantes tribes.
About 25 BC, Tincommius, a leader of the Atrebates, started making coins in the Roman style. This showed the growing influence of Rome in Britain.
Images for kids
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A selection of stone tools from Eartham Pit, Boxgrove.
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The upper body of Cheddar Man, a Mesolithic skeleton.
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Stonehenge, a Neolithic stone monument built from 3000 BC to 2000 BC.
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The Uffington White Horse, a Bronze Age hill figure carved into the chalk.
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Old Oswestry, an Iron Age hillfort.
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