NARRATOR:Thousands of years ago much of the world was covered in thick layers of ice. It’s been called ‘The Ice Age’.
NARRATOR:When the climate got warmer, the ice melted. Then, rising sea water 8000 years ago caused part of Europe to become separated and form an island. This island is Britain.
NARRATOR:The land became covered in a deep dark forest.
NARRATOR:Animals like wild boar, red deer and cattle called Oryx came to live here. Humans came too and hunted the animals for food.
NARRATOR:It is now 7000 years ago and here we are right in the middle of what we call, ‘The Stone Age’. No prizes for guessing what's so special about this period; yes stones. And one type of stone in particular, flint.
STONE AGE CHILD:I’m starving shouldn’t you hunters be going to catch some dinner?
STONE AGE GRANDDAD:Don’t look at me, I’ve got a bad back from being down the flint mine.
STONE AGE CHILD:Yes, so you keep telling us granddad.
NARRATOR:Families like this one paint pictures of animals on the walls of their caves.
NARRATOR:Perhaps they worship these great beasts that provide them with food.
NARRATOR:They even make special headdresses out of animal skulls.
STONE AGE MOTHER:If she’s painted a deer then you should go and catch one.
STONE AGE BOY:But I can’t catch deer.
STONE AGE GIRL:Why not, we’ve just trekked a really long way to this place for that very reason and I’ve got achy legs and sore feet in the process. Don’t tell me it was for nothing.
STONE AGE BOY:It’s alright for you, you’ve got the easy job, gathering berries and leaves and nuts and stuff, but the deer live in there…
STONE AGE BOY:…in those very wild woods.
STONE AGE BOY:Please don’t make me go in there, let’s go fishing instead. Fishing’s much better, let’s eat berries and nuts again, I love berries and nuts.
STONE AGE GIRL:If not a deer then at least a fish. Look, I’ll paint one.
STONE AGE MOTHER:Son, you could easily catch fish with that new spear you’ve made, it’s your best one ever.
STONE AGE FATHER:Perfect for catching fish.
NARRATOR:Stone Age people made tools out of flint, which is hard sharp stone, but easy to flake and shape.
NARRATOR:But they also have learnt to make tiny stone tools called microliths, which can be fixed onto wood to make hunting spears and woodworking tools. Other tools are made out of bone, wood and antlers.
STONE AGE FATHER:Steady.
STONE AGE FATHER:Go on, now’s your chance.
STONE AGE FATHER:Oh!
NARRATOR:People don’t just hunt animals; they gather leaves, nuts and berries too.
STONE AGE MOTHER:Don’t pick those whatever you do, they’re not good.
STONE AGE GIRL:They look good to me.
STONE AGE MOTHER:Your grandma ate some and that’s why she’s not around anymore. Hurry and gather acorns, we need to get back to the cave and cook.
STONE AGE FATHER:Roasted nuts again! We had that yesterday and the day before.
STONE AGE MOTHER:And it’ll be the same again tomorrow unless one of you hunters actually catches something.
STONE AGE GIRL:Yes, we’re supposed to be hunter gatherers, not gatherer gatherers.
STONE AGE BOY:We didn’t see one fish.
STONE AGE GRANDDAD:Tomorrow, we’ve no choice but to enter the forest.
STONE AGE BOY:But, but I’m scared of what’s in there.
STONE AGE FATHER:Come and look everyone, I’ve something to show you.
STONE AGE GIRL:Huh, that’s a wolf. Don’t look at him in the eyes.
STONE AGE FATHER:It’s not a wolf, well it is a wolf, but it’s only young and a friendly one too and look, it does what I ask it to.
STONE AGE FATHER:Bring me my sack Wolfie!
STONE AGE FATHER:Yeah, it’s an orphan, it’s been sniffing around our camp looking for food. I’ve become its pack leader by feeding it.
STONE AGE BOY:But, won’t it eat us once it gets bigger?
STONE AGE FATHER:No, just give it a bit of food and it’ll be happy. And it’ll protect us from scary animals, and help us to hunt deer.
STONE AGE BOY:And look, the deer have come out of the forest, they’re eating the (…UNCLEAR…).
STONE AGE FATHER:Great, now we don’t have to go into the forest to hunt them, come on, let’s go and catch some dinner.
NARRATOR:New seasons mark the time for new changes.
STONE AGE GIRL:What, already?
STONE AGE MOTHER:Yes, time to move on.
STONE AGE BOY:But it feels like we’ve only just got here.
STONE AGE GIRL:I wish I could just stay here, moving all the time is so annoying.
STONE AGE GRANDDAD:Oh! Don’t be so ridiculous! How could we ever get enough food if we stayed in the same place all year round? People will always have to follow the food, that’s something that’s never going to change.
STONE AGE CHILD:My sacks too heavy, my arms are aching.
STONE AGE MOTHER:That’s nothing, you should try carrying baby.
STONE AGE FATHER:Hah! You should try carrying granddad.
STONE AGE CHILD:Are we nearly there yet?
STONE AGE FATHER:No.
STONE AGE CHILD:Are we nearly there yet now?
STONE AGE MOTHER:No.
STONE AGE CHILD:How about now?
STONE AGE FATHER:Yes.
STONE AGE CHILD:Really?
STONE AGE MOTHER & FATHER:No!
Video summary
An introduction to the precarious nature of life in Mesolithic Britain through the eyes of a typical family.
They dig flint out of the ground, using antlers as a pick.
They gather food and make tools from stone and antlers.
They have to move about following food, so everything must be light and portable.
They make weapons with which to hunt, and domesticate a wolf - the beginning of man’s relationship with dogs.
This is from the series: The Story of Britain
Teacher Notes
This could be used as an introduction to life in the Middle Stone Age.
Ask students what they know about life in Mesolithic Britain.
Pupils can make a list of the food people ate and the tools and weapons mentioned in the clip.
How might they find out more about these? As there is no written evidence from the period, who could tell them if the facts used in making this clip are accurate?
Encourage students to research Mesolithic sites near them. Do these sites tell us similar things to the clip? Are there any differences? Can they explain these?
Encourage students to complete their report using this 'starter': ʺI think life in Mesolithic Britain was… because…ʺ
This clip will be suitable for teaching History at KS2 in England, Foundation Phase and KS2 in Wales, KS1 and KS2 in Northern Ireland.
Also Early 1st and 2nd Level in Scotland.
New Stone Age. video
Life in Neolithic Britain through the eyes of one family.
Iron Age Britain. video
Exploring life in Iron Age Britain through the eyes of one family.
Bronze Age Britain. video
Exploring life in Bronze Age Britain through the eyes of one family.
The Vikings. video
Exploring life in Viking Britain through the eyes of an Anglo-Viking family.
The Normans. video
Exploring British life in 1066 through the eyes of a Norman family.
Anglo-Saxon Britain. video
Exploring life in Anglo-Saxon Britain through the eyes of one family.
Boudica and the Roman Invasion. video
Exploring life in Britain at the time of Boudica’s rebellion through the eyes of one family.
Roman Britain. video
Exploring life in Britannia through the eyes of one Roman family.
Domesday Book. video
Exploring 1085 and the compilation of Domesday Book.
