Life in the Iron Age

The Iron Age lasted almost 800 years, starting around 750 B.C. and moving well into the next millennium. Because of the long time period involved, it is safe to assume that changes in lifestyle and technology were enormous, moving from the most basic forms of living to a sedentary farming lifestyle just exploring the beginnings of technology.

Significance

The Iron Age was marked by a shift to farm work. In fact, working the land and taking care of the animals living in the area took most of the day and involved the whole family, including children. Work usually started at sunrise in the fields, where plowing or seeding took place. Children who were too small to work the fields would usually stay at home and milk the cows or gather firewood.

Considerations

Health issues of the time and a lack of proper medical knowledge meant that even common diseases killed a large number of people. Women had an average of 10 children, of which only 2 or 3 normally survived. Life expectancy was especially short for women, but it was rare for anybody to live over the age of 45.

Effects

Both livestock and farming provided a good source of nourishment for families. Despite all the hardships of the time, people in the Iron Age had more regular access to food than any other groups before them. Many families kept goats for milk, sheep for their wool and cattle for both work (to pull the plow) and food. Pigs and chicken were more rare, but were found in some parts of Europe. Animals were also important because they provided manure to help improve the land and make growing crops (mostly wheat, oats and barley) easier.

Features

Houses during the early period of the Iron Age were mostly made of stone. Later on, wood became the main material, with houses built out of timber, in a circular design and covered with straw, clay and manure to seal the walls and weatherproof the entire structure. Houses consisted of a single room, in which the fireplace was the focal point. In winter, beds (often a single plank of wood) were arranged around the fire, which also provided a source of light.

Theories/Speculation

There was little time during the Iron Age for rest and leisure time, but archaeological discoveries show that at least certain things, including primitive board games, may have been used. Rattlers and child size slingshots have also been found, leading experts to believe children may have had at least some sort of recreational items around. Overall, however, it is believed that wintertime activities were reduced to spending time around the fire telling stories and drinking hot beverages.