New
New
Year 3

Comparing and contrasting Bronze Age and Iron Age Britain

I can describe the similarities and differences between Bronze Age and Iron Age Britain.

New
New
Year 3

Comparing and contrasting Bronze Age and Iron Age Britain

I can describe the similarities and differences between Bronze Age and Iron Age Britain.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Settlements were often very different e.g. Bronze Age farming communities vs Iron Age hillforts.
  2. Wattle and daub roundhouses occurred in both; farming tools were used in both but were more effective in the Iron Age.
  3. Art styles changed from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age but metalworking was important in both periods.
  4. Conflict between groups of people seems to have become more common in the Iron Age as distinct tribes developed.
  5. A good description of the similarities and differences will use knowledge from across this unit.

Keywords

  • Settlement - a settlement is a place where people have settled to live and work

  • Beaker people - Beaker people were a group of people from Europe known for their clay pottery; they came to Britain during the Bronze Age

  • Metalwork - metalwork is the process of creating items from metal

Common misconception

The changes between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age happened instantly.

Explain that the changes between the Bronze Age and Iron Age happened gradually over time.

Children could make Iron Age shields from cardboard and decorate with celtic patterns. Show the children examples of celtic patterns. Children could make beaker pots using self-drying clay to create a coil pot and then press patterns into the clay with sticks and twigs before the clay sets.
Teacher tip

Equipment

cardbaord, clay, small sticks and twigs

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the earliest, put the time eras in order.
1 - Stone Age
2 - Bronze Age
3 - Iron Age
Q2.
Match the material that tools and weapons were made from to the correct era.
Correct Answer:Stone,Stone Age

Stone Age

Correct Answer:Bronze,Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Correct Answer:Iron,Iron Age

Iron Age

Q3.
In which era did people build and live in hillforts?
Stone Age
Bronze Age
Correct answer: Iron Age
Q4.
Iron is than bronze.
Correct Answer: stronger, sharper, harder, tougher
Q5.
During the Bronze Age people were...
bricklayers
hunter-gatherers
Correct answer: farmers
Q6.
What is wattle and daub?
Correct answer: material for building walls
tools for manufacting bronze
a method for making clothing

6 Questions

Q1.
What was the same about settlements in the Bronze Age and the Iron Age?
the size of the settlements
the location of the settlements
Correct answer: the type of houses within the settlement
Q2.
Match the type of settlement to the correct era.
Correct Answer:Stone Age ,temporary campsites

temporary campsites

Correct Answer:Bronze Age,small farm settlements

small farm settlements

Correct Answer:Iron Age,hillforts

hillforts

Q3.
Metal farm tools were used in both the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. What was the difference between the tools used?
Correct answer: The tools in the Iron Age were stronger.
Correct answer: The tools in the Iron Age were more effective.
The tools in the Iron Age were less effective.
The tools in the Iron Age were weaker.
Q4.
In which era did farmers begin producing surplus crops that they could trade?
Stone Age
Bronze Age
Correct answer: Iron Age
Q5.
Art styles were different during the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Match the style to the correct era.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Bronze Age,Straight line markings to decorate pots

Straight line markings to decorate pots

Correct Answer:Iron Age ,Celtic patterns that were geometric and used curved lines

Celtic patterns that were geometric and used curved lines

Q6.
As different tribes developed in the Iron Age, conflicts between people became .
Correct answer: more common
less common
very rare
Q5 Pixel Studio One, DKN0049, Shutterstock.com

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