The British Isles in the Period of Ancient History

1. Ancient Britain (part I)

Introduction

Apart from a few short references in classical literature knowledge of Britain before the Roman conquest (begun AD 43) is derived entirely from archaeological research. It is thus lacking in detail, for archaeology can rarely identify personalities, motives or exact dates. All that is available, is a picture of successive cultures and some knowledge of economic development. But even in Roman times Britain lay on the periphery of the civilized world and Roman historians, for the most part, provide for that period only a framework, into which the results of archaeological research can be fitted. Britain truly emerged into the light of history only after the Saxon settlements in the 5th century AD.

Until late in the Mesolithic¹ period Britain formed part of the continental landmass and was easily accessible to migrating hunters. The cutting of the land bridge, c. 6000-5000 BC, had important effects: migration became more difficult and remained for long impossible to large numbers. Thus, Britain developed insular characteristics, absorbing and adapting rather than fully participating in successive continental cultures. And within the island geography worked to a similar end; the fertile southeast was more receptive of influence from the adjacent continent than were the less-accessible hill areas of the west and north. Yet, in certain periods the use of sea routes brought these too within the ambit of the continent.

From the end of the Ice Age² (c. 11,000 BC) there was a gradual amelioration of climate, leading to the replacement of tundra by forest and of reindeer hunting by that of red deer and elk. Valuable insight on contemporary conditions was gained by the excavation of a lakeside settlement at Star Carr, North Yorkshire, which was occupied for about 20 successive winters by hunting people in the 8th millennium BC.

Anglesey, Isle of ³

Anglesey island is known for its ancient history and its prehistoric and Celtic remains. It is low and fertile, in contrast to the mountainous North Wales mainland, and, hence, it was an early grain-growing and stock-raising centre. Seafaring and fishing were also significant. Trading contacts with Ireland were established early and the island lay on a prehistoric sea route, linking the Mediterranean with northern countries. Megalithic⁴ burial chambers and standing stones indicate late Neolithic⁵ and early Bronze Age⁶ habitation. By 100 BCE⁷ the islanders had adopted Celtic language and culture. Anglesey became a famous Druid⁸ centre and a stronghold of resistance to the Romans. Early Celtic Christian churches and monasteries on Anglesey include Penmon Priory, founded by St. Seiriol in the 6th century. Aberffraw, on the southwest coast, was the capital of the Gwynedd princes from the 7^th to the 13^th century. Highly exposed to invasion from the sea, the island was attacked by Irish, Saxon, Viking and Norman venturers. It was finally subdued by the English king Edward I, who built the castle at Beaumaris (begun 1295).

Isle of Anglesey county remains predominantly agricultural, but tourism has become important. The market town of Llangefni, on Anglesey island, serves as the administrative centre for the county.

Pre-Roman Britain