During the Iron Age in Britain, people lived in clans, headed by clan leaders. There were lots of disputes and battles between the clans.
Teach your children about the Iron Age using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Ask your children to research hill forts, (this page is a good starting point) and then to write a report about them.
- Challenge your children to find these Iron Age sites on Google maps.
- Ask children to compare their own lives with the life of someone living in the Iron Age. This great resource will give them lots of information.
- Make a braided belt.
- Try these ideas for some Iron Age food.
Resources
- Check out our Early Human History Pack for lots of resources.
- Download our Iron Age Banners and display letters to use on your display boards.
- Download this image bank from the British Museum.
Iron Age Facts
- In Britain, the Iron Age began around 750 BCE and came to an end in 43 CE when the Romans invaded.
- Iron was particularly important to farmers; iron ploughs and axes were much more efficient than the ones made of bronze or wood that had been used before.
- Iron Age clans in Britain often lived in hill forts, enclosed areas of land. Some can still be visited today.
- The earliest civilization to develop the technology to work iron was the Hittite civilization, in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
- The process of heating iron ore with charcoal to produce iron is known as smelting.
Videos
A Day In The Life Of A Celt: Part One – Roundhouses
Have a look around a roundhouse.
Running time: 1:58
How to make a Celtic Torc: The Snettisham Great Torc
In this fascinating video, a curator from the British Museum explains how to make a Celtic torc.
Running time: 9:29
Daily life at home in Iron Age Britain
This interesting video looks at where your information about the Iron Age comes from.
Running time: 5:05
Iron Age Diaries: Day 2 – Cooking, the Celtic Way
Learn about the food the Celts ate in this interesting video.
Running time: 2:19
Books
Magical Celtic Tales
A retelling of tradtional tales from around the Celtic world.
Stone Age to Iron Age
This non-fiction book explores the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages in Britain.
Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages
Children will enjoy learning about prehistory with the photographs and information in this book.
Links
- This comprehensive guide to the Iron Age from BBC Bitesize is packed with information.
- Find out about the Iron Age in this guide from DKfindout!
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
