Week 2: Prehistory

Stone Age/Agricultural Revolution

Politics →

• Formation of elites through control of surplus food & supplies

Religion →

Succession →

Relations →

• Trade & occupation starting (stratification beginning)

Cultural Development →

• Agricultural Revolution (12,000 BCE-9,000 BCE)

• Animal Domestication & Settlements starting

  • Catal Huyuk, Turkey (6500-5500 BCE)

Neolithic Britain

Politics →

Religion →

Succession →

Relations →

• Spread of agricultural to Europe from Southwestern Asia

  • Along the coast of the Mediterranean (4,000 BCE).

Cultural Development →

• Skara Brae (3,000 BCE)

  • Prehistoric village that contained 3,000 people that migrated from mainland Scotland.

  • Farmed wheat & barely, dependent on sea for resources. Had cattle & domesticated dogs.

  • Had stone tools, as well as jewelry (ivory necklace) and toys (figurine made from whalebone).

Bronze Age (2,400 BCE-700 BCE)

Politics →

• Celts worked in tribal units, with military elites.

Religion →

• Religion becomes more formalized

• Polytheistic beliefs

Succession →

Relations →

• Sending out of tin, copper, & amber

Cultural Development →

• Development of cities

• Migration into the South (1,400-1,000 BCE)

  • Hugely impacted England & Wales

• Creation of faience (combination of sand, ashes, & minerals)

• Celts make coins & use them

• Rise in La Tene Culture & art

Iron Age

Politics →

• Development of defensive and administrative sites within Hillforts.

Religion →

Succession →

Relations →

Cultural Development →

• Different cultural groups moving around (Picts, Scots, Britons)

• Increasing use of tools & sophistication of building structures.

  • Horse riding, chariot use, & horse wagons

• Creation of Hillforts (mainly found in England & Northern Wales)

  • Old Oswestry

  • Hereford Beacon

  • Maiden Castle

  • Old Sarum