This course will explore: how geology and climate contributed to the success of our species; the range and meaning of prehistoric art and how the ancients viewed the stars. It will attempt to unlock the mystery of Stonehenge and place it in the wider context of megalithic temples and the spread of agriculture from its earliest beginnings in western Asia. It will explore each of the epochs of prehistory from the age of stone, to the ages of bronze and iron and the changes each had on human existence and behaviour. There will be ample opportunity for students to handle artefacts for each of the prehistoric periods discussed, many of which are rarely seen outside museums.
Course aim
This course will cover the six million years of human evolution up to the dawn of history that came with the arrival of the Romans in Britain
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Understand the evolution of the human species and its significant milestones.
- Distinguish between Ice Age and Holocene archaeology.
- Appreciate the extent of Prehistoric Art.
- Gain an understanding of the purpose and development of Stonehenge.
What else do I need to know?
Copies of the presentations with comprehensive notes will be available on Canvas. Students may wish to bring writing materials if they wish to make supplementary notes.
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