Hello everyone, Alex Isles here, and welcome to Brough Law Hill Fort in Northumberland National Park! This fantastic location provides the perfect backdrop to introduce the concept of the Iron Age.
The Iron Age: A New Era of Technology and Social Change
The Iron Age, generally dated from around 800 BC onwards, marks the introduction of iron tools to the British Isles. While iron technology had been developed earlier in other parts of the world, it slowly spread, eventually reaching our shores.
A Social Leveler: From Bronze Elite to Iron Age Communities
One theory about the Bronze Age, was that bronze technology was controlled by an elite tied to Mediterranean trade networks, it was believed that iron was a social leveler. Iron ore was widely available, making it accessible to local communities. This accessibility meant that people no longer relied on long-distance trade for their metal. They could find iron in their own landscapes, leading to the creation of tools that made work easier, increased food production, and improved defensive capabilities.
The Rise of a Warrior Elite: Food Control and Hill Forts
While we know that the population was overall descended from the Beaker people’s migration into the British Isles, we can see, especially in the south of England, continental migrations occurring in the late Bronze Age (1000 BC – 875 BC) which show that Britain was not isolated. This therefore meant that ideas spread and the development of hillforts occurred across the British isles during the Bronze age and then had a resurgence again in the Iron Age.
The Iron Age aristocracy built impressive hill forts, though in Northumberland they are quite small, like Brock Law, to assert their dominance. Brough Law, with its double-skin walls, stands as a testament to the power of these communities.
Brock Law Hill Fort: A Symbol of Power and Defense
Brock Law Hill Fort, roughly dated to 300 BC – 100 BC, features two sets of defensive walls. Despite not being the largest hill fort in the area, it boasts some of the most developed defenses.
Inside, there were roundhouses and an area for livestock. Its strategic location, overlooking the River Breamish and surrounding landscape, allowed the fort to control movement and project power.
A Warrior Culture: Weapons, Horses, and War Bands
The Iron Age has been characterized by a warrior elite, skilled in weaponry and horsemanship, and supported by large retinues and war bands. These elites provided protection for their people, supplying food and warriors against rival tribes. It could be that this was a settlement for powerful women in the Breamish valley while their sons and husbands were away fighting.
Global Warming and Population Expansion
Around 300 BC, global warming led to population growth in the Mediterranean, fueling the rise of cultures like the Romans and Carthaginians. This warming trend also impacted northern Europe, leading to population expansion. While written records are scarce, we can glean insights into the Iron Age by examining the landscape, the construction of hill forts, and the influence of local aristocracies on farming and local populations as larger political units begin to form in Iron Age Britian.
I hope this introduction to the Iron Age and Brock Law Hill Fort has been informative. Until next time, stay safe and well, and I look forward to sharing more history with you in the near future. Thank you very much!
