Britain during the New Stone Age
The New Stone Age, also known as the Neolithic Era, roughly began in circa 4000 B.C. But historical experts believe that the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic period happened as early as 5000 B.C. And during that shift, the inhabitants of Great Britain had already learned how to use stone axes and antler combs. Also, the art of pottery was starting to develop.
But the most notable development during this stage is that the early British people had stopped hunting and had started to toil the soil in order to survive. The premature technologies of farming had found its way from the Channels into the heart of England. Soon enough, the whole British Isles started to plant and make a living through the earth. The most common crops planted were barley and wheat.
The British people were also starting to learn how to domesticate animals. Pigs, cattle, and sheep were slowly being raised in herds. While some people continued to hunt, they mostly did it only as a supplement to farming. But the more notable breakthrough is that people had learned how to use small dogs to assist in hunting.
The early British also knew how to build walkways made of wood so as to access the swampy areas, especially the one near Glastonbury. And because of these tracks they had made, they were able to find land suitable for agriculture. Consequently, they built communities and camps near them. Evidences of these communities are uncovered in places such as Hembury and Devon. Early inhabitants preferred to live in these types of areas because of the abundance of water necessary for farming.
However, the number of people that belonged to such communities was relatively small and mostly just the size of an extended family. And because the precise technology of farming was yet to be discovered, people had to move out of their communities after 10 to 20 years. During which time, the land they tilled became barren and did not have the ability to support new crops any longer. When that happened, the whole community would pack up and look for a more suitable land to plant on. They also built rectangular cabins made of logs to live in on the area they choose to settle on.
Original Authors: Phil Post
Edit Update Authors: M.Harris
Updated On: 24/07/2008
