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The big picture of the earliest humans in Britain
I can describe some of the main features regarding the chronology of the earliest humans in Britain.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 3
The big picture of the earliest humans in Britain
I can describe some of the main features regarding the chronology of the earliest humans in Britain.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Natural climate change has meant that different groups of humans have come to and left Britain at different times.
- Stone tools and footprints at Happisburgh show that the first known Britons came to Britain c. 950,000 years ago.
- Around 500,000 years ago teeth and bones found at Boxgrove show Homo heidelbergensis lived in Britain.
- Ice Ages around 450,000 and 20,000 years ago resulted in long periods when no humans lived in Britain.
- Homo sapiens came to Britain c. 40,000 years ago, left during the most recent Ice Age and returned c. 12,000 years ago.
Keywords
Homo sapiens - the only surviving group of humans is the Homo sapiens
Archaeologist - someone who studies human history by exploring artefacts found in the ground is an archaeologist
Prehistoric - something from before written history is known as prehistoric
Ice Age - an Ice Age is when the Earth becomes very cold for a long period of time
Common misconception
That there has only ever been one type of human.
Explain there was more than one type of early human but they are all extinct now. All modern humans are Homo sapiens.
Support pupils to understand the concept of ordering events chronologically by creating practical timelines. Give pupils events on cards and ask them to rearrange themselves in chronological order or peg events in order onto a washing line.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these time expressions is in the past?
Which of these time expressions is in the past?
today
tomorrow
Q2.Starting with the longest ago, put the times in order of when they happened.
Starting with the longest ago, put the times in order of when they happened.
Q3.Which action is a way of life from the past?
Which action is a way of life from the past?
Someone using a computer tablet
Someone charging an electric car
Q4.Starting with the youngest put the humans in order of age.
Starting with the youngest put the humans in order of age.
Q5.What is a timeline?
What is a timeline?
A tool to help us count large numbers
A special kind of watch to help us tell the time
Q6.A timeline is a diagram that shows events that happened in the past. What order is a timeline in?
A timeline is a diagram that shows events that happened in the past. What order is a timeline in?
a to z
newest to oldest
biggest to smallest
smallest to biggest
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which group of humans are the only ones to have survived?
Which group of humans are the only ones to have survived?
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo antecessors
Homo neanderthalensis
Q2.Pick two types of evidence that have been used to show early humans were in Britain.
Pick two types of evidence that have been used to show early humans were in Britain.
ancient records
clay pots
Q3.Three children are discussing what an archaeologist does. Who is correct?
Three children are discussing what an archaeologist does. Who is correct?
Jun: "Archaeologists look after your teeth and gums."
Aisha: "Archaeologists study science and carry out science investigations."
Q4.How did the Ice Ages affect the number of humans living in Britain?
How did the Ice Ages affect the number of humans living in Britain?
They caused long periods when only a few humans lived in Britain.
They caused long periods when lots of humans lived in Britain.
Q5.How many different types of early humans are believed to have come and left Britain in the past?
How many different types of early humans are believed to have come and left Britain in the past?
One type of human
Two types of humans
Q6.Which two factors meant early humans came to and left Britain at different times in the past?
Which two factors meant early humans came to and left Britain at different times in the past?
changes in beliefs
changes in technology