Cornwall in Prehistory

Prehistory is a universal term used by archaeologists to describe a sizable portion of time in the past, essentially, from the beginning of human evolution to the arrival of the Romans in Britain. In Cornwall this distant past is always present; the monuments, places and landscapes are our constant companions as we go about our daily lives.

Cornwall in Prehistory provides an introduction to this fascinating era in the county’s past. It is divided on the basis of the traditional chronology starting with the hunter-gatherers and ending in the Iron Age, with each chapter concluding with suggestions for places to visit. Other chapters include discussions on how archaeologists know what they know and some alternative means of investigating our prehistoric past, including the role of myth and legend. It has been written with the beginner in mind, as a starting point for further discussion and investigation by those who are keen to find out more.