But during the Neolithic Period, as the Later Stone Age is called, the
district, it is believed, was invaded by an Iberian or Ivernian race
from south-western Europe, a race possessing flocks and herds, with
a knowledge of many arts and crafts, such as spinning and weaving,
the making of pottery and of dug-out canoes, but having at first no
acquaintance with the use of metal. They were of the same stock as the
Silures of South Wales, and were probably dark-haired and black-eyed,
round-headed and short of stature. Their descendants may, perhaps, still
be seen in the county, especially on the skirts of Exmoor, and it is
quite possible that their breeds of domestic animals may be represented
upon Devonshire farms to-day.
The Iberians were, it is thought, conquered and driven westward by the
very different Goidels or Gaels, a powerful Celtic race, tall, fair,
long-headed, much further advanced in arts and crafts, and to some
extent users of bronze for tools and ornaments. It is thought by some
authorities that it was they who set up the stone circles, avenues,
and menhirs, and who built the rude stone huts which still remain
on Dartmoor. Many of the people of Scotland and Ireland are their
descendants, and their language is still spoken in the Highlands and
Western Isles of Scotland, in parts of Ireland, and in the Isle of Man.
The Gaels were, it is believed, succeeded and conquered in the fourth
century before Christ by the Brythons, another Celtic race, who gave
their name to our island. They took possession of Wales, and of Scotland
as far as the Highlands, but they do not appear to have crossed into
Ireland. They were, to a great extent, users of bronze, but they also
worked in iron, and were the first of the Iron Age in this country. It
is probable that they built most of the hill-forts of Devonshire, and
that they made many of the roads, some of which were afterwards adapted
and improved by the Romans.
Shortly before the landing of Julius Caesar, Britain was invaded by
still another Celtic race, the Belgae from Gaul, a tall, dark-haired
people, as may be gathered from the appearance of their descendants, the
Walloons of Liège and the Ardennes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account