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Iron Age tribes and clans

During the Iron Age, Britain was divided into different tribes. Each one had their own leader and traditions. Many of these groups shared similar languages, religious beliefs and art styles with people who lived across Western Europe.

This included Iron Age people who lived in modern-day France, Belgium, Germany and Italy.

Some people call Iron Age Britons 鈥楾he Celts鈥. The word 鈥楥elt鈥 comes from the ancient Greeks who called these people Keltoi, but it is not a name that they called themselves.

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A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age tribesman at Maiden Castle.Image source, 漏 Historic England (Illustration by Ivan Lapper)
Image caption,
A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age tribesman at Maiden Castle.
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What kind of food did people make?

Farming was important during the Iron Age. People grew their own crops to make food. They grew crops like wheat, oats and barley. They used cattle to make milk and cheese and for meat and leather. Cattle also helped them to farm by pulling ploughs and carts.

A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age family ploughing the land.Image source, 漏 Historic England (illustration by Judith Dobie)
Image caption,
A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age family ploughing the land.

People laid out boundaries around their fields with fences made of wooden stakes. The remains of the boundaries can still be seen on aerial photographs today. Long ditches and enclosures were built to help keep cattle together and to make fields where the cows could graze.

People also used horses for riding, to pull carts and for fighting in battles.

A reconstruction drawing showing Iron Age people feasting.Image source, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
Image caption,
A reconstruction drawing showing Iron Age people feasting.
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What did people make?

Iron Age Britons made decorated weapons, as well as jewellery such as brooches and glass beads. They made personal belongings, like highly polished bronze mirrors and bone combs.
The harnesses and fittings for their horses and chariots were highly decorative.

Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.Image source, 漏 Trustees of the British Museum
Image caption,
Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.

Art and craft

  • Things were often decorated with curly or swirling patterns and animals, birds or plants.
  • This type of decorative craftsmanship is often called 鈥楥eltic art鈥 or 鈥楲a T猫ne art鈥.
  • La T猫ne is a place in Switzerland where many of these things have been found.
The Wandsworth Shield, made of copper alloy and found in Wandsworth, England. The decoration on the shield is two birds with their wings outstretched. On display at the British Museum.Image source, 漏 Trustees of the British Museum
Image caption,
The Wandsworth Shield, made of copper alloy and found in Wandsworth, England. The decoration on the shield is two birds with their wings outstretched. On display at the British Museum

Weapons and armour

  • Long swords - These were useful for cutting and slashing. Daggers were for close range combat. These would likely have been carried in decorated scabbards (like a case) made of bronze, wood or leather.
  • A spear or javelin - These were used for throwing at the enemy at a distance. A shield made of wood or leather was used for protection.
  • Helmets - These protected the wearer's head from slashing swords.
  • A neck-ring or 鈥榯辞谤肠鈥 - A warrior would wear this metal (iron, bronze or gold) ring around their neck. It was a status symbol.
The Wandsworth Shield, made of copper alloy and found in Wandsworth, England. The decoration on the shield is two birds with their wings outstretched. On display at the British Museum.Image source, 漏 Trustees of the British Museum
Image caption,
The Wandsworth Shield, made of copper alloy and found in Wandsworth, England. The decoration on the shield is two birds with their wings outstretched. On display at the British Museum
The Snettisham Great Torc, made of gold and found in Norfolk, England, on display at the British Museum.Image source, 漏 Trustees of the British Museum
Image caption,
The Snettisham Great Torc, made of gold and found in Norfolk, England, on display at the British Museum.
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Activity: Quiz 鈥 Life in an Iron Age hill fort

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