ABSTRACT

Tim Darvill examins the development of human societies in Britain from the earliest times down to the Roman Conquest, as revealed by available archaeological evidence. Special attention is given to six themes which are traced through all phases of prehistory: subsistence, technology, ritual, trade, society and population. Ideal for extramural course use, Prehistoric Britain is a book that can be read for pleasure by anyone interested in the early history of the British Isles.

chapter 1|15 pages

The Prehistoric Past

Archaeology in the Present

chapter 2|20 pages

Bands on the Run

Hunter-gatherer Societies to 3500 BC

chapter 3|27 pages

Harvest for the Year

Early Agriculturalists 3500–2500 BC

chapter 4|33 pages

Sunrises and Other New Beginnings

The First Chiefdoms 2500–1500 BC

chapter 5|25 pages

After the Gold Rush

Agrarian Societies 1500–600 BC

chapter 6|29 pages

Below the Salt

Tribes and Chiefdoms 600–100 BC

chapter 7|23 pages

Questions of Balance

Political Societies 100 BC–AD 50

chapter 8|10 pages

All Things Must Pass

Patterns of Society and Change