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The Incredible Neolithic Finds Of Ancient Britain | Digging For Britain | Unearthed History

Unearthed History - Archaeology Documentaries・35 minutes read

Archaeologists in Britain unearth evidence challenging previous assumptions about early human survival and sophistication, with discoveries dating back nearly a million years and shedding light on prehistoric life through art and farming practices. Significant findings include rock art, ancient villages revealing daily life insights, and the discovery of the Missing Link in the Bronze Age world through the first evidence of tin trade, offering a glimpse into the rich history and challenges faced by ancient communities.

Insights

  • Early humans in Britain were capable of surviving in cold climates, challenging previous assumptions, with discoveries of ancient settlements, tools, and art dating back hundreds of thousands of years, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.
  • Archaeological findings in Britain, ranging from ancient settlements to burial sites, provide valuable insights into the daily lives, rituals, and technological advancements of prehistoric communities, shedding light on the development of early farming, trade networks, and social structures in the region.

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Recent questions

  • What do archaeologists search for in Britain?

    Clues about past inhabitants.

  • What evidence challenges early human survival beliefs in cold climates?

    Pollen, wood, plant remains, animal bones, and teeth.

  • What do Flint tools suggest about human occupation in Britain?

    Occupation dating back nearly a million years.

  • What is the significance of rock art in Creswell Crags?

    Connection to prehistoric ancestors.

  • What does the discovery of bronze ingots represent in the Bronze Age world?

    The Missing Link in tin trade.

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Summary

00:00

Unearthing Britain's Ancient Past: Clues Revealed

  • Archaeologists across Britain annually search for clues about past inhabitants, delving into a complex jigsaw puzzle of skeletons, swords, temples, and treasure.
  • The journey through prehistoric Britain unveils art from Ice Age Britons and the development of farming, shedding light on the birth of trade.
  • In Norfolk, archaeologists unearth evidence challenging the belief that early humans couldn't survive in cold climates, finding pollen, wood, plant remains, animal bones, and teeth.
  • Fossils of extinct creatures like hyenas and beaver-like rodents help date the site to around 800,000 to a million years old, with a mammoth tooth indicating a primitive mammoth form.
  • Discoveries of Flint tools, including a "butter knife," suggest human occupation in Britain dating back nearly a million years, pushing back the timeline by 200,000 years.
  • Despite harsh conditions during an ice age, early humans in Britain managed to survive, possibly with basic clothing and fire, challenging previous assumptions about their sophistication.
  • Rock art discovered in Creswell Crags, dating back around 13,000 years, reveals a connection to our prehistoric ancestors, with engravings of animals like deer.
  • The oldest rock art in Britain, found in Creswell Crags, provides a glimpse into the lives of early humans, offering a unique connection through art.
  • In Orkney, archaeologists uncover evidence of early farmers at a 5,000-year-old village, revealing insights into their daily lives and the cultivation of barley.
  • Excavations at the village site unveil remnants of ancient rubbish and pottery, indicating the presence of domesticated plants like barley and providing a window into prehistoric life.

20:06

Ancient settlement's struggles and religious symbolism

  • Settlement focused on enriching soils for crop growth
  • Challenges faced due to sandy soils prone to erosion
  • Importance of domesticated animals for early farmers
  • Discovery of cattle skulls built into wall foundations
  • Significance of livestock in the ancient farming community
  • Abandonment of the village due to environmental struggles
  • Unearthing of a unique figurine, the West Ray wifey
  • Placement of the figurine as a ritual end to the settlement
  • Interpretation of the figurine as a religious symbol
  • Discovery of Beaker burials and analysis of Beaker skeletons for migration patterns

38:54

Bronze Age Discoveries Unveil Ancient Secrets

  • The discovery of 10 bronze ingots represents the Missing Link in the Bronze Age world, indicating the first evidence of tin trade in the region.
  • The Southwest region is believed to have played a crucial role in supplying raw materials like tin across Europe.
  • A Bronze Age shipwreck with a tragic history is uncovered, possibly carrying a cargo of tin and copper ingots before disaster struck.
  • Archaeologists uncover a 4,000-year-old tomb of a Bronze Age Chieftain, revealing a surprising absence of the skeleton but a rich array of treasures.
  • The mystery of the missing skeleton is solved through the discovery of a calcite substance, indicating the bones dissolved over time.
  • The grave of the Chieftain contains a magnificent dagger, suggesting high status and importance, along with objects hinting at a fire-making kit and the presence of flowers, indicating a tender burial ritual.
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