Introduction to Early Britain
The Stone Age
- The first people to live in Britain were hunter-gatherers during the Stone Age.
- For much of the Stone Age, Britain was connected to the continent by a land bridge. This allowed people to come and go easily.
- These early people hunted animals like deer and horses for food.
- About 10,000 years ago, Britain became separated from the continent by the English Channel.
The First Farmers
- The first farmers arrived in Britain around 6,000 years ago. They likely came from south-east Europe.
- These farmers built houses, tombs, and monuments.
- One famous monument is Stonehenge, located in Wiltshire. It was likely a place for special ceremonies.
- Another important site is Skara Brae, a well-preserved village on Orkney. It helps us understand how people lived during the Stone Age.
The Bronze Age
- Around 4,000 years ago, people learned to make bronze, marking the start of the Bronze Age.
- They lived in roundhouses and buried their dead in tombs called round barrows.
- Bronze Age people were skilled metalworkers, creating beautiful items like tools, ornaments, and weapons.
The Iron Age
- After the Bronze Age came the Iron Age. People then learned to make tools and weapons from iron.
- They continued to live in roundhouses and formed larger settlements, sometimes protected by hill forts.
- An impressive hill fort can still be seen at Maiden Castle in Dorset.
- Most people during this time were farmers, craft workers, or warriors.
- They spoke a language from the Celtic family. This is similar to languages still spoken in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland today.
- The Iron Age people created the first coins in Britain, some marked with the names of their kings. This is an important part of British history.
Questions
Easy Level Questions
- Who were the first people to live in Britain?
- A) Farmers
- B) Hunter-gatherers
- C) Metalworkers
- D) Warriors
- What did early people in Britain hunt for food?
- A) Fish
- B) Deer and horses
- C) Cows
- D) Birds
- What separated Britain from the continent?
- A) A river
- B) A mountain
- C) The English Channel
- D) A forest
- How long ago did the first farmers arrive in Britain?
- A) 1,000 years ago
- B) 4,000 years ago
- C) 6,000 years ago
- D) 10,000 years ago
- What is Stonehenge?
- A) A village
- B) A type of house
- C) A monument
- D) A burial site
- Where is Skara Brae located?
- A) Wales
- B) Scotland
- C) England
- D) Ireland
- What age came after the Stone Age?
- A) Ice Age
- B) Bronze Age
- C) Iron Age
- D) Middle Ages
- What material did people learn to make around 4,000 years ago?
- A) Copper
- B) Iron
- C) Bronze
- D) Silver
- What kind of houses did Bronze Age people live in?
- A) Square houses
- B) Roundhouses
- C) Tall buildings
- D) Caves
- What did Iron Age people create for the first time?
- A) Tools
- B) Coins
- C) Weapons
- D) Clothing
Medium Level Questions
- What group of people came to Britain about 6,000 years ago?
- A) Roman soldiers
- B) Hunter-gatherers
- C) First farmers
- D) Bronze workers
- What does the term “hill fort” refer to?
- A) A type of weapon
- B) A fortified settlement
- C) A farm
- D) A burial site
- What type of economy did Iron Age people have?
- A) Simple economy
- B) Sophisticated economy
- C) Barter economy
- D) Trade economy
- Which area is known for having the best-preserved prehistoric village?
- A) Stonehenge
- B) Maiden Castle
- C) Skara Brae
- D) Orkney
- What was likely the purpose of Stonehenge?
- A) A market
- B) A gathering place for ceremonies
- C) A farm
- D) A military base
- What language family did Iron Age people speak?
- A) Latin
- B) Germanic
- C) Celtic
- D) Romance
- Which of the following materials was NOT used in the Bronze Age?
- A) Bronze
- B) Iron
- C) Gold
- D) Silver
- What was a primary occupation for most Iron Age people?
- A) Fishermen
- B) Traders
- C) Farmers
- D) Hunters
- Which monument is found in Wiltshire?
- A) Skara Brae
- B) Maiden Castle
- C) Stonehenge
- D) Hadrian’s Wall
- What major change happened in Britain about 10,000 years ago?
- A) People learned to farm
- B) Britain became separated from the continent
- C) Iron was discovered
- D) Coins were minted
Hard Level Questions
- How did the arrival of the first farmers change life in Britain?
- A) It led to hunting becoming more important.
- B) It allowed for the building of permanent homes and agriculture.
- C) It caused people to leave the area.
- D) It introduced new languages.
- What were round barrows used for in the Bronze Age?
- A) To store food
- B) As burial sites
- C) For housing
- D) For farming
- What is one reason why the Iron Age is significant in British history?
- A) It was when writing was invented.
- B) It marked the creation of the first coins.
- C) It was when the Romans invaded.
- D) It ended all warfare.
- What evidence do we have of Iron Age culture?
- A) Stone tools
- B) Coins and inscriptions
- C) Written records
- D) Pottery
- How did the social structure of the Iron Age people likely function?
- A) Strictly hierarchical with kings at the top
- B) Completely democratic
- C) Based solely on wealth
- D) Without leaders
- What is a significant archaeological site in Dorset?
- A) Skara Brae
- B) Stonehenge
- C) Maiden Castle
- D) Avebury
- How did the climate change affect the Stone Age people?
- A) They had to migrate to warmer areas.
- B) It led to more food sources.
- C) It caused them to start farming.
- D) It made hunting easier.
- Which of these features is typical of Iron Age settlements?
- A) Large palaces
- B) Roundhouses and hill forts
- C) Skyscrapers
- D) Underground homes
- What was the main metal used in tools during the Iron Age?
- A) Bronze
- B) Gold
- C) Silver
- D) Iron
- What remains of Iron Age culture can still be seen today?
- A) Ancient manuscripts
- B) Stone monuments
- C) Hill forts and coins
- D) Wooden houses
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) Hunter-gatherers
- B) Deer and horses
- C) The English Channel
- C) 6,000 years ago
- C) A monument
- B) Scotland
- B) Bronze Age
- C) Bronze
- B) Roundhouses
- B) Coins
Medium Level Answers
- C) First farmers
- B) A fortified settlement
- B) Sophisticated economy
- C) Skara Brae
- B) A gathering place for ceremonies
- C) Celtic
- B) Iron
- C) Farmers
- C) Stonehenge
- B) Britain became separated from the continent
Hard Level Answers
- B) It allowed for the building of permanent homes and agriculture.
- B) As burial sites
- B) It marked the creation of the first coins.
- B) Coins and inscriptions
- A) Strictly hierarchical with kings at the top
- C) Maiden Castle
- A) They had to migrate to warmer areas.
- B) Roundhouses and hill forts
- D) Iron
- C) Hill forts and coins
