The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

United Kingdom

News

What caused Britain's Bronze Age 'recession'?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12989605

A large gap in pre-history could signal that Britain underwent an economic downturn over 2,500 years ago.

In history lessons, the three ages of pre-history - Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age - seem to flow together without a gap.

But there is a 300-year period in British history between around 800 BC and 500 BC where experts still struggle to explain what happened, where bronze is in decline and iron was not widely used.

"By 1000 BC the bronze axe had become almost a proto-currency," says historian and presenter Neil Oliver.

"It was wealth that was divorced from its use as a metal. And, a little like economic bubbles that we see today, it spelt danger."

-----------------------------------
Interesting piece from the BBC that seems to be a promo for A History of Celtic Britain
Chris Collyer Posted by Chris Collyer
7th April 2011ce

Comments (1)

This is not the only remaining gap in pre-history. Personally I don't find the traditional categories of stone-bronze-iron helpful in wondering what happened between the megalithic world and the hill forts.

I hope the programme is better than the promo
Posted by greybeard
12th April 2011ce
You must be logged in to add a comment