Settlement during the Mesolithic Era

History

The big picture of the earliest humans in Britain

The evidence of the Paleolithic Era

Life at the end of the last Ice Age

Skara Brae and life in the Neolithic Era

Significant Stone Age artefacts

In 'Stone Age Britain: what do archaeologists think they know about it?' pupils have learnt about how the archaeological record informs what we know about Stone Age Britain. In 'Bronze and Iron Age Britain: how did life change during this time?' pupils examine the archaeological record with a focus on the changes brought about by the Bronze and Iron Ages.

'Significant individuals who changed Britain: how did they fight for change?' strengthened pupils' knowledge of twentieth century British history by asking them to compare two individuals fighting for change. 'Stone Age Britain: what do archaeologists think they know about it?' contrasts this by transporting pupils to some of the earliest history of the British Isles, focusing on archaeology.

This unit examines the archaeological record that exists for Stone Age Britain and introduces pupils to the way in which archaeologists make claims based on this evidence. As the first unit in KS2, it covers the settlement of humans in Britain during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic eras.

Stone Age Britain: what do archaeologists think they know about it?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

How many years ago did the Mesolithic Era begin in Britain? 

Sea levels rose due to the melting ice sheets at the end of the last Ice Age

A piece of land floated away from the mainland at the end of the last Ice Age 

A big disagreement amongst the people in Britain and on the mainland

Which things did hunter-gatherers need to survive in the Mesolithic Era?

Mesolithic people most likely set up temporary settlements and moved around. Why do archaeologists think they moved around?

Archaeologists discovered evidence of a Mesolithic shelter in Howick on the Northumbrian coast in Britain. They made a replica. What shape do archaeologists believe the shelter was? 

Where does the Stone Age get its name from?

How many sections is the Stone Age divided into? 

Starting with the earliest, put these periods of time into the correct order. 

Where did early humans get their food from in the Early Stone Age?

Another name for the Paleolithic Era is the ... 

Settlement during the Mesolithic Era

Lesson outcome

Content guidance