|
Prehistoric
|
About 500,000 BC to 42 AD
The Prehistoric period covers all the periods from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Iron Age.
This is a time when people did not write anything down so there is no documentary evidence for archaeologists to look at. Instead, the archaeologists look at the material culture belonging to the people and the places where they lived for clues about their way of life.
The Prehistoric period is divided into the Early Prehistoric and Later Prehistoric.
The Early Prehistoric period covers the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods.
The Later Prehistoric period covers Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age times.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
Bronze Age
|
About 2500 BC to 700 BC
The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.
The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.
During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
Roman
|
About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)
The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.
The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
more ->
|
| back |
|
SITE *
|
Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible.
|
| back |
|
|
OVEN *
|
A brick, stone or iron receptacle for baking bread or other food in.
|
| back |
|
|
KILN *
|
A furnace or oven for burning, baking or drying. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
FEATURE *
|
Areas of indeterminate function.
|
| back |
|
|
GULLY *
|
A deep gutter, drain or sink.
|
| back |
|
|
ROAD *
|
A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles.
|
| back |
|
|
PIT *
|
A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
DITCH *
|
A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year.
|
| back |
|
|
FARM *
|
A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
POST HOLE *
|
A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known.
|
| back |
* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)
