Highlights: Prehistoric Britain

Stonehenge

- Construction:

- Likely built by the Beaker People around 2500 BCE. This group is named after their distinctive pottery, first found in the Iberian Peninsula.

- DNA analysis indicates that the Beaker People originated from central Europe and became the dominant population in Britain during the New Stone Age.

- Modern non-immigrant DNA in Britain is believed to trace back to individuals like Cheddar Man, who had a darker complexion compared to the Beaker People.

- Stones of Stonehenge:

- Stonehenge features the largest stones found at similar sites, including 82 blue stones transported from Wales.

- The purpose of Stonehenge is still debated, with theories suggesting it served as a calendar, a religious site, or an amphitheater.

#### Global Context

- Bronze Age:

- Spanning from c. 2400 BCE to c. 700 BCE, marked by developments such as city formation, sophisticated governance, extensive trade, and monumental architecture.

Bronze Age: Regional Insights

- Population Movement:

- A significant influx of new people occurred, with DNA analysis from 800 skeletons in Kent indicating some were first-generation immigrants around 1400 BCE.

- Migration spread significantly across South England and Wales by 1000 BCE, leading to demographic changes.

- Environmental Changes:

- The region experienced warmer temperatures and increased rainfall, which led to deforestation.

- Stonehenge continued to be a site of development until 1500 BCE.

- Local Settlements:

- Jarlshof (Shetland): Featured fields surrounded by stone walls, a smithy from 800 BCE, and evidence of self-sustainability through farming.

- Communities produced tin and copper, with artifacts like amber from modern-day Denmark and faience (a man-made material).

The Celts

- Celtic Movement:

- The Celts, an Indo-European people, migrated into the study region around 600 BCE, bringing their distinct language and culture from the East.

- Cultural Development:

- Distinct groups emerged: Brythonic (England and Wales) and Goidelic (Scots, Gaelic).

- They operated in tribal groups with military elites, establishing settlements and engaging in sophisticated metalwork.

- Art and Culture:

- The La Tène culture is noted for its abstract artistic motifs, including spirals that have spiritual connections.

- The Battersea Shield embodies this artistic style, showcasing the Celts' emphasis on spirituality and water symbolism.

Iron Age Cultural Groups

- Picts:

- The dominant culture in Scotland, known as "painted men," likely due to their tattoos. This group was predominantly illiterate.

- Scots and Britons:

- Groups defined by their geographic and cultural identities during the Iron Age.

Iron Age Farming

- Advancements:

- Enhanced tools and building techniques supported a rising population and evidence of agriculture and food surpluses, facilitating trade.

Iron Age Hillforts

- Characteristics:

- Predominantly found in England and Northern Wales, mostly constructed in the 5th and 6th century BCE.

- These sites often included two gates and streets and served as administrative and defensive centers, supporting crafts and trade.

- Types of Structures:

- Brochs: Circular defensive structures in Northern Scotland, though their defensive purpose lacks concrete evidence.

- Pictish houses and Crannogs: Large round houses built over water, indicative of Pictish habitation practices.

Conclusion

The period from the Beaker People’s construction of Stonehenge through the Iron Age reflects significant cultural and societal developments in prehistoric Britain. This era encompasses the emergence of distinct populations, advancements in agriculture, art, infrastructure, and complex social structures that shaped the landscape of early Britain.