Atlantic Bronze Age

The Atlantic Bronze Age is a term used to describe a time in history, roughly between 1300 and 700 BC, along the Atlantic coast of Europe. This area includes places such as Britain, France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. During this time, many interesting cultures and ways of living developed.

Some people use the term Atlantic Bronze Age to talk about the culture that was common in these places during the Bronze Age. It was a time when people made tools and other things from bronze, a special kind of metal. Life in prehistoric Europe, as it is called, was changing and becoming more advanced.

Even though the term has never been given a strict definition, it helps historians and archaeologists talk about this important period in a useful way. The Atlantic Bronze Age shows us how people lived, worked, and created during a fascinating time in history.

Trade

Main article: Bronze Age Europe

The Atlantic Bronze Age was a time when communities along the coasts of Europe shared ideas and goods. This exchange happened from Portugal in the south up to Scotland in the north, including places like Galicia in Spain, Armorica in France (which is now Brittany), and Cornwall in England. Because of this sharing, many of these places looked quite similar, with similar buildings and ways of living. Trade also reached as far north as Sweden and Denmark and even to the Mediterranean area.

Metal production

This culture from the Bronze Age had special places for making metal, connected by sea trade. Key spots were in southern England, Ireland, northwestern France, and western Spain and Portugal. Many metal items were hidden away or placed in special areas for rituals. Often, these metal pieces were found in water, like rivers, lakes, and bogs.

People made many different things from metal, such as special axes, weapons like spearheads and shields, and swords. They also made tools for fancy meals, like spits and kettles, found from Portugal all the way to Scotland.

Celtic influence

During this time, the Celts became important in Europe. Their language might have become a common way for people to talk to each other along the Atlantic coast. People in these communities started using special items like swords with grip-tongues and bronze metalwork, which they learned to make and use in special ways. These changes might show how their language evolved. Some think the Celtic languages began in west-central Europe because of contact between leaders from the east and west. However, many believe Celtic origins are tied to the Hallstatt C culture in central Europe.