In this course we trace the prehistoric development of pre-Roman British society through critical evaluation of the archaeological record. This enables us to explore the transformation of those societies into centralised tribal chiefdoms. Archaeological debates covered, include those about the rate, importance and mechanism of agricultural spread in Britain and the Atlantic fringe; the genesis, role and meaning of causewayed enclosure, henge and burial monuments in the Neolithic and Bronze Age; the pace and direction of human-induced environmental change in Britain and the clearance of the great forests; the role and importance of evolving metal technologies; the emergence of urbanism and regional connections in the Iron Age. We will also discuss how identity and ideology were created in the past and how they have been incorporated into modern beliefs and political debate. The course will compare and contrast prehistory in Britain with that of adjacent European countries, especially Ireland and the Atlantic fringe.

Tutorial presentation (10%), debate contribution (5%), critical review (15%), annotated bibliography (20%) and 3000 word essay (50%).

Normally offered in alternate years
2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial per week