Looking The Iron Age In The Eye

Experts believe that a skull found in a field at Fiskerton in Lincolnshire could belong to an Iron Age man, making it almost three thousand years old.

A man named Erik Grigg and his son James made the spooky discovery while they were out walking their dog. They left the skull where it was and went home to call the police.

Left: Erik holding the Iron Age skull he found.

© Erik Grigg

The police showed the skull to experts from Lincoln University who think it might date from the Iron Age.

Scientists and archaeologists will now carry out tests on the skull to find out exactly how old it is.

Right: the famous Witham Shield, now at the British Museum in London.















© British Museum.

This isn't the first time that exciting discoveries have been made in or around the village of Fiskerton. In 1826 a decorated Iron Age shield was found in the River Witham, close to Fiskerton. The shield (above) is now on display in the British Museum.

In 2001 two Iron Age log boats were found close to a Celtic walkway at Fiskerton, along with a sword, spears, ornaments and tools. These will all go on display in a new museum due to open in Lincoln in 2005.

Left: this is the front half of one of the Iron Age logboats, while it was still buried.

© Jim Rylett.

Fiskerton is probably so full of ancient finds because the soil, or peat, is wet and boggy. This means that air can't get to objects that are buried. Without air, the bacteria that usually make objects rot away can't live.

If you would like to learn more about Iron Age life a good place to start would be Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort in Wales. They've rebuilt Iron Age roundhouses as they would have looked in about 600BC.

If you can't make it to the site then the BBC worked with the museum to make an interactive web site about building a roundhouse. Click here to watch.

Right: one of the Iron Age roundhouses at Castell Henllys.

© Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

At the Archaeolink Prehistory Park in Aberdeenshire there are more roundhouses along with chances to see falconry, metalworking - even prehistoric cookery and fashion! Click here to find out more.

Down south, there is the Museum of the Iron Age in Hampshire where an Iron Age warrior is waiting to meet you! All sorts of Iron Age objects are on show, you'll be surprised!

Left: this Iron Age warrior awaits a visit from you!










© Iron Age Museum.

People from the Iron Age have left behind lots of clues from their life… see what you can find in a museum near you.