What the Ancients Did for Us - Episode 09: The Britons

Description

This episode features reports from around British Isles by Hart-Davies and Darling elaborated by demonstrations from Jopson and a variety of experts that examine the ideas and inventions of the Ancient Britons.

    * Flint tools, like the 700,000-year-old flint hand-axe found on the Norfolk coast, are the earliest man-made tools.
    * Settlements, like the 5,000-year-old Skara Brae visited by Hart-Davies, are the earliest known in Europe.
    * Henges, like Woodhenge visited by Darling, indicate a rich spiritual life connected to the seasons.
    * Solar observations, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, allowed the accurate charting of the passing seasons for agriculture.
    * Bronze making, introduced by the beaker people and demonstrated by Hart-Davis, was the first man-made alloy.
    * Roundhouses, demonstrated to Darling at the Peak Moors Centre, Sommerset Levels, were unique in Europe.
    * Gold artefacts, like those at the National Museum of Ireland visited by Darling, are amongst the finest in Europe.
    * Sewn plank boats, such as the Dover Bronze Age Boat visited by Darling, could carry large cargos.
    * Navigational techniques, using tools such as the Lead and Line demonstrated to Darling, allowed trade with Europe.
    * Iron working, demonstrated to Darling, allowed the construction of weapons used in the first organised warfare.
    * Coin making, introduced from Europe and demonstrated by Jopsom, records the earliest samples of writing in Britain.
    * Chariot making, demonstrated to Darling by Robert Herford, provided a powerful weapon against the invading Romans.

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