What did people make during the Iron Age?

Part ofHistoryPrehistoricYear 3Year 4

What food did people make and grow?

Iron Age people grew their own crops to make food, likewheat, oats and barley. They used cattle to make milk, cheese, meat and leather and to pull ploughs and carts.

Created in partnership with English Heritage

A reconstruction drawing showing Iron Age people feasting.Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
A reconstruction drawing showing Iron Age people feasting.
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What were farms like?

People laid out boundaries around their fields with fences. The remains of the boundaries can still be seen on aerial photographs today. Long ditches and enclosures were built to make fields for their cows.

People used horses to pull carts and in battles.

A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age family ploughing the land.© Historic England (illustration by Judith Dobie)
A reconstruction drawing of an Iron Age family ploughing the land.
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What was Iron Age art and craft like?

Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.© Trustees of the British Museum
Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.
  • People decorated items with curly or swirling patterns. They often designed animals, birds or plants.
  • This type of decorative craftsmanship is often called ‘Celtic art’.
Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.© Trustees of the British Museum
Bronze mirror with a clover-leaf pattern. It is part of the British Museum's collection.
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What weapons and armour did Iron Age people make?

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.© Trustees of the British Museum
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 - Warriors used these to cut and slash enemies. Daggers were for close range combat. They were carried in decorated scabbards (like a case) made of bronze, wood or leather.
  • A spear or javelin - Iron Age warriors could throw these at an enemy who was far away.
  • A shield made of wood or leather was used for protection.
  • Helmets - These protected the wearer's head.
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.© Trustees of the British Museum
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
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Activity: Quiz – Life in an Iron Age hill fort

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Race Across the Continents game - new update!
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