Introduction to the Bronze Age

The Bronze Age in Britain begins in 2500BC when the first objects created by humans from gold and copper are produced. The Bronze Age ends circa 800BC with the apparent collapse of bronze production and consumption and the beginning of small-scale use of iron.

Chalcolithic [2500-2150 BC]

The Chalcolithic (also known as the metal using Neolithic, or Copper Age) is the period from 2500-2150 BC and although considered part of the ‘Bronze Age’ bronze was not used at this time and copper and gold were the metals of choice.

Early Bronze Age [2150-1600 BC]

At this time the archaeological evidence suggests that most of the people in Britain had no permanent homes and moved their herds of cattle, and probably other animals, from one area to the next. There is very little evidence of settlements although archaeologists have recorded an increase in woodland clearance and the movement of people into upland areas. Along with domesticated animals people also ate wild animals, seasonal wild plants and emmer wheat. In the Early Bronze Age the dead were often buried in small round barrows which are associated with the Beaker Culture (2500-1800 BC). These barrows slowly developed and became larger, more diverse and eventually became complex barrow cemeteries.

Throughout the third millennium henges (a circular area defined by a ditch and a bank) were constructed. Stonehenge is probably the most famous henge but is not a true henge as its ditch lies outside of its bank. The last building work carried out on this monument took place at the end of the Early Bronze Age. Other monuments built in this period are stone circles such as those found at Croft Moraig (Perthshire), timber circles such as Seahenge (Norfolk), avenues such as the West Kennet avenue, timber palisades and mounds like Silbury Hill (Wiltshire).

Middle Bronze Age [1500-1150 BC]

Evidence suggests that at the start of the Middle Bronze Age great changes occurred as people started to built more permanent settlements, kept larger numbers of sheep and in some areas developed extensive fields for cultivating cereals such as spelt wheat. During this time there was a change from burials to cremations which means that archaeologists can gain little evidence from human remains.

Late Bronze Age [1150-800 BC]

Although there are no dramatic changes around 1150 BC to identify the Middle Bronze Age from the Late Bronze Age there are some interesting developments in the Late Bronze Age. Settlements become more diverse, larger and new constructions such as hill forts, wooden platforms and ringworks were created. People continued to cremate their dead during this period.

The increases in developer funded archaeology over the past 20 years and the introduction of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in 1996 have led to the discovery and recording of hundreds of new Bronze Age sites and thousands of artefacts. It is exciting to imagine what the discoveries in the last few years and the discoveries in years to come will reveal about this long ago period of human existence.

References

• Bradley, R. (2007) The Prehistory of Britain and Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
• Roberts, B. (2010) A Tale of two Islands: Britain and Ireland in the Bronze Age
• Roberts, B., Uckelmann, M., Bradherm, D. (2010?) Old Father Time: The Bronze Age chronology of Western Europe.
• Roberts, B. (2008) The Bronze Age. In: L. Adkins, R. Adkins, V. Leitch (eds) The Handbook of British Archaeology. Constable