Prehistoric+Britain

**Prehistoric Britain (?-43 A.D.)**

**// T //****// h //****// e //****// H //****// i //****// s //****// t //****// o //****// r //****// y //** **Timeline of Prehistoric Britain (Approximate Dates):**
 * **Britain’s First Humans ** || **End of the last Ice Age—Britain becomes and island ** || **The New Stone Age ** || **The Bronze Age ** || **The Iron ** **Age ** || **First Roman Invasions ** || **First Successful Roman invasion ** ||
 * **Somewhere between 750,000- ** **500,000 BC ** || **Somewhere between 8,000-6,500 BC ** || **5000 -2500 BC ** || **2500-800 BC ** || **800BC-43 AD ** || **<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">55 AD and 54 AD ** || **<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">43 A.D. ** ||

“Prehistoric” is defined as “of or relating to man’s development before the appearance of the written word” (Dictionary.com). It is estimated that the first human beings of the land mass we now know as Britain lived there between they years of 750,000 B.C. and 500,000 B.C. They were hunters and gatherers and relied on wild animals, berries, fruits, nuts, and other edible sources; because of the constant search for food, they were migratory people. At this time, the land mass of Britain was attached to the rest of Europe.
 * The Earliest History **


 * Britain Becomes an Island **

There were many ice ages in Britain. The last ended approximately between the years of 8,000 B.C. and 6,500 B.C. As the ice melted, the sea levels rose and flooded a mass of land connecting Britain to the rest of Europe—Britain becomes an island. The people now on the island of Britain continue as hunters and gatherers.


 * The New Stone Age **

Around the year 5,000 B.C. to 4,500 B.C., the inhabitants of Britain begin to learn about farming (the process of growing food as opposed to hunting for existing food). Farming begins the New Stone Age. It took about 2,000 years for the concept of farming to spread across the British lands. They began keeping herds of animals to use as food. Also, they began planting grains and other edible foods. Due to the transition from hunting and gathering to farming, people became less migratory. One result of this settling was the appearance of ceremonial monuments around which the people would meet to socialize, to trade, and to participate in burial ceremonies. During burial ceremonies, people would bury important items (skulls, pottery,etc.). People would also gather at tomb sites.

Historians believe that it took hundreds of years to construct Stonehenge (from 3000 B.C. to 1, 600 B.C.). Its construction spanned from the New Stone Age into the Bronze Age—it was a massive undertaking. There are many theories about the purpose of Stonehenge. Some believe it was a monument designed for religious practices or a monument for the dead, others believe it was used as a sort of calendar, and still others believe that it was thought to be a place for healing the sick.
 * Stonehenge [[image:britishliteraturetimeline/stonehenge210.jpg width="204" height="179" align="right" caption="Stonehenge (aerial view)"]] **

Click here to take a virtual tour of Stonehenge.

The Bronze Age in Britain began around 2,500-2,000 B.C. The Bronze Age literally refers to the age in which metal (especially bronze) is introduced to the world. People begin to learn to create metal weapons, jewlery, and tools. Furthermore, they begin living closer together in true communities.
 * The Bronze Age **

The Iron Age takes place from approximately 800 B.C. until the Romans invade in 43 A.D. Slowly, metal technology increased to include iron. Around 1 B.C.. tribes and kingdoms begin to develop and technology developed even further (including the potter’s wheel and a tool for grinding grain). The population of Britain grew tremendously and may have include over one million people. A well-preserved body from this period was discovered from a bog in Britain: The Lindow Man from 1 A.D.
 * The Iron Age [[image:britishliteraturetimeline/lindow_man2.jpg width="177" height="201" align="right" caption="The Lindow Man"]] **

Quick backstory: Julius Ceasar was born in Rome in 100 B.C. He worked his way up through the Roman political system and eventually named himself as the consul and dictator of Rome. Dictatorship was meant to be a temporary position, but Ceasar claimed it for the rest of his life—despite the preferences of politicians and citizens. So…he was assassinated on the Ides of March (15th) in 44 B.C.
 * Julius Ceasar invades Britain **

BEFORE he became the dictator but while he was working his way up the political chain, Ceasar became the governor of Roman Gaul. Gaul was comprised of what now makes up Belgium, France, Switzerland, and part of Italy). Despite assistance from British Celts, he defeated the Gauls and those territories came under Roman rule. To retaliate against the British Celts for helping the Gauls, he invaded Britain in 55 B.C. Approximately 12,000 Roman soldiers landed in Britan but were surprised that the Britains were prepared. Eventually, the Britains withdrew from battle but Ceasar realized they would be a difficult conquest. As a result, the Roman soliders decided to retreat and come back with more soldiers. In 54 B.C., they returned with 30,000 soliders. The Romans began to take over British tribes one at a time. While doing so, he ignored the Gauls who decided to attack Rome. Ceasar left Britain and never returned. The Romans did not successfully invade Britain until 43 A.D.

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 * Impact on the English Language **

Most Britains spoke versions of the Celtic language.

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 * The British Literature **

At this point, there is no written British literature. Myths, epics, and other stories were shared orally.