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The Late Bronze Age |
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Appox. 1,200 BC to 700 BC
It is social order, or power over others, that permits a society to perform tasks that have all the hallmarks of being impossible. In Egypt this was represented by the building of the Pyramids but in Britain it is illustrated by the almost continual rebuilding and development of major constructions like Stonehenge.
The wet climate of the Late Bronze Age is one of the factors that forces the population to the high ground, however the increasing population permitted by continuous improvements in farming practise probably also caused unrest between neighbouring tribes. The early collection of few dwellings at the top of the hill are now enlarged and surrounded by a palisade and ditch. The engineering power that could build Stonehenge also began to manifest itself in the construction of the early Hill-forts.
The Late Bronze Age in Britain was a period of development and trade. It marks the first appearance of metal currency, known as Ring Money. A rare example of which was discovered on a farm near Ripon, North Yorkshire in July 2002 dating from somewhere between 1150 BC and 750 BC. The period began with the working of copper and gold later progressing onto the alloys known as bronze after which this period of human history is named.
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Both copper and tin were relatively easily available in Britain at this time and there are indications of increasing trade of these metals to the continent during the Late Bronze Age along with an influx of technological knowledge which is marked by the rapid cultural change. |
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One realises why these people needed all the pottery and gold beakers when you understand that this was also the time of the creation of the first alcoholic beverage in Britain. This is thought to have been some form of fermented honey or mead. One wonders if the Round House was the first Pub?
Another innovation resulting from improved animal husbandry was the production of spun wool and woven material. Stone bobbin and loom weights are characteristic of the period and are found in numbers at any Bronze Age domestic site. Woollen clothes would have been a great advantage as the climate cooled.
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