The Wetwang chariot and Celtic warfare
I can explain what archaeologists have learnt about Iron Age Britain from the Wetwang chariot.
The Wetwang chariot and Celtic warfare
I can explain what archaeologists have learnt about Iron Age Britain from the Wetwang chariot.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In 2001 in northern England, a grave was discovered of someone who must have been very important.
- Inside the grave, alongside the bones, were the remains of an Iron Age chariot.
- All that remained of the chariot were its metal parts and highly decorated bronze fittings, some inlaid with coral.
- The grave therefore suggests that chariots were important in Celtic warfare in Britain during the Iron Age.
- When the Romans came to Britain for the first time in the 1st century BCE, they noted that the Celts used chariots.
Common misconception
That the archaeologists used the actual artefacts found in the grave to make the reconstruction of the chariot.
Ensure pupils understand that archaeologists used new materials to make a replica chariot based on the evidence in the grave.
Keywords
Chariot - a chariot was a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses and used in ancient warfare
Coral - the hard skeleton of a type of tiny sea animal is called coral
Romans - the Romans were a group of people from Italy that took over lots of land across Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- 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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an ancient 2-wheeled vehicle used in warfare and racing
the hard skeleton of a type of tiny sea animal
a group of people from Italy that took over lots of land