Palaeolithic Era

Britain has remains from the ‘Old Stone Age’, pre-8000 BC. i.e. Boxgrove and Swanscombe in the south-east

In this era, our climate was fluctuating between temperate and polar. Britain was joined to mainland Europe. Glaciers covered up to, but not including the south of England. Hunter gatherers would only come to Britain in the summer months.

Mesolithic Era

Otherwise known as the Middle Stone Age, 8000 – 4000 BC. It is in this era that Britain separated from Europe. Around 6000 BC, hunter gatherers inhabited the British woods.

Neolithic Era

(New Stone Age, 4000 – 2000 BC) bought the first full-time civilisations, the same hunter gatherers built burial mounds and stone circles. Forests started being cleared. Life was still Nomadic. Around 3500 BC, the first farming settlements were built at Windmill Hill.

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age (2000 – 700 BC) bought metalwork to Britain. Permenant settlements are built. Stone Henge was built.

Iron Age

The Iron Age (700 BC – AD 43) improved weaponry and tools. Hillforts were constructed. It is during the Iron Age that the Celts are believed to have come from the continent.