British history I

Neolithic and Bronze Ages

Neolithic and Bronze Ages c. 8300 - c. 750 BC

This period is referred to as prehistory as there are no written records dating from this time. We rely on archaeological evidence to help us understand this period and we can only interpret the meaning of these finds.

The inhabitants of Britain at this time comprised a diverse group of peoples. They had no understanding of the Britain we know today and probably had more in common linguistically and culturally with those tribes with whom they had most contact and trade. Throughout this period, the population in Britain is thought to have been small and scattered.

Initially, the population was one of hunter-gatherers but by the middle of this period there had been a marked change to domestic husbandry and agriculture. As farming techniques improved, increased food production facilitated population expansion. Despite this, it has been estimated that this population was still fewer than one million by c. 1400 BC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/britain/o_neo_bronze.shtml