| Emerging from the climatic catastrophe of the late Bronze
Age, the people of Iron Age Scotland adapted to a harsh
and often violent way of life. Construction and refortification
of hill forts continued, and the Warrior personae became
the role model and hero for the people of the Iron Age.
Iron, far superior and more plentiful than bronze, became
the metal of choice for the Iron Age warrior, who lived
his (or perhaps her) life by
the spear and the sword.
The romantic image of the warrior was usually the exception
rather than the norm. Most people of the Iron Age were
farmers, merchants, or craftspeople. Living in distinct
tribal communities, the people of Iron Age Scotland were
influenced by the Celtic culture emerging in continental
Europe, but were not, strictly speaking, Celts themselves.
However, their culture and lifestyle so closely resembled
that of the true “Celts” that they are often
regarded as simply “Celtic.” The tribes of
the North East of Scotland were loosely knit, rarely coming
together for a common goal, until they were confronted
with the might of the invading Roman Army.
Though they often suffered defeat at the hands of the
Romans, the “Celtic” tribes of Northern Scotland
were never subjugated by the Roman Empire. They maintained
their independence and their descendants went on to form
the Pictish nations first described by the Romans in the
3 rd century AD.
On site is a reconstructed example of an Iron Age roundhouse
and farmstead based on an excavation near the Aberdeenshire
village of Monymusk. Activities include woodworking demonstrations,
pottery, cooking, spinning, weaving and dying of cloth.
The farm is a working farm with livestock and crops being
grown and managed throughout the year.
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Years Map |
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