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Histories of Northamptonshire

Explore the Histories of Northamptonshire Interactive Timeline

Geologic to Prehistoric

Before 43CE

Inhabiting the ancient geological landscapes shaped by tropical seas, ice and climate change, early human activity in the area lays the foundations of settlement and life in our county.

View summary
Iron Age 800 BCE - 43 AD

Iron Age Torc

Lead torc worn around the neck of an Iron Age woman. Found during excavation of a rare human Iron Age burial.

Iron Age lead torc © NMAG
Iron Age 300-150 BCE

Iron Age Reaping Hook

A well preserved reaping hook, on one hand an everyday farming implement, on the other a symbol of prehistoric farming.

Iron Age reaping hook - iron blade with bone handle © NMAG
Iron Age c. 200 BCE

Iron Age Rotary Quern

Rotary quern made from millstone grit used to grind cereals into flour. More than 100 were found at the Iron Age hillfort at Hunsbury Hill.

Iron Age quern stones - top and bottom stones from Hunsbury Hillfort © NMAG
Iron Age 10 - 40 CE

Cunobelin Stater

A Celtic gold stater minted in the late Iron Age, bearing the name of Cunobelin, ruler of the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes tribes.

Reverse (tail) of Iron Age gold stater (coin) © NMAG