The Beaker People History What are we learning

The Beaker People History

What are we learning? I can discuss the significance of the Beaker culture in Britain.

Who were they? During the Bronze Age, people began to travel. By 2100 BC, Britons were mining metals. Trading ships travelled to mainland Europe carrying copper, tin and precious objects made by metalworkers. Some settlers who arrived belonged to the Beaker culture. Beaker people lived in clans led by powerful chiefs. They held religious ceremonies at stone circles, and buried their dead in circular graves. These customs became part of life in Ancient Britain.

Why did they travel? The Bronze Age started at different times in different countries. As people travelled to other countries, the knowledge of how to mix the copper and tin to make bronze was brought with them. Bronze was already being used in other parts of the world before it was brought to Britain in around 2100 BC. Some of the new arrivals to Britain at this time are known as the ‘Beaker folk’. Some believe that they were travelling through Europe in search of metal.

Why are they called ‘Beaker’ people? The Beaker folk settled well with the people already living in Britain. They did however cause a change in culture. They have been named after the distinctive bell-shaped pottery they made.

Bronze Age Beakers The Beakers were mainly used for drinking from but were also used as urns, to smelt copper or to store food. The pottery was decorated with bands that contained impressions made by pressing a comb or cord into the clay. An intricate item of pottery would show someone’s wealth. Excavations have shown that bell beakers were placed in tombs, which suggests that they were valued items.

Why are they significant? It is possible that bronze was first brought over to Britain by Beaker folk. It is believed that they introduced new types of weapons, ornaments and jewellery.

Where did they come from? During this time, there were no written records so historians had to look for other clues to answer this question. Historians believe that Beaker folk originated from Spain or Portugal, where the earliest pots have been found.

Why is this significant? A very large study on ancient DNA has shown that Britain was changed forever by the arrival of the Beaker folk, who brought with them new customs, new burial practices, and beautiful, distinctive bell-shaped pottery.

Interesting Burials People were buried in a special way: Often stone chests were used. People where buried in an embryonic position: ● Women had their head facing south, their feet facing north. ● Men's heads faced north, feet south. This means that both looked east, when buried.