From Stone Age To Iron Age
We have found a good selection of books and other resources which we feel will help ground some of the key issues surrounding the subject of Stone Age to Iron Age.
Early Humans
Non Fiction
Adams, S. (2008). Archaeology Detectives. Oxford: OUP.
An introduction to the world of archaeology and how it can help understand the past. Suitable for KS2 readers.
​
Deary, T. & Brown, M. (2008). Savage Stone Age – Horrible Histories. London: Scholastic Books.
From the award-winning Horrible Histories TV programme and enjoyed by our kids from the age of 5 and upwards!
​
Frith, A. (2010) Prehistoric Britain. London: Usborne Books.
Part of Usborne Books History series, this targets KS2 readers and provides a brief introduction to periods from the age of the dinosaurs to the arrival of the Romans.
​
Ganeri, A. (2014). Life in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age (A Child’s History of Britain) Basingstoke: Raintree
A brief and general introductory text to life in the past aimed at KS2 ages 7-10.
​
MacDonald, F. (2001). The Stone Age News. London: Candlewick.
Uses a ‘newspaper’ style to engage readers with all things Stone Age, including cooking and cave art. KS 2/3.
​
Manning, M. & Granström, B. (2013). The Secrets of Stonehenge. London: Frances Lincoln in association with English Heritage.
A lively telling of the story of Stonehenge for young readers at KS1/2
​
New for 2019, Ruby Tuesday books have a number of titles of interest to children covering the lives of ancient people.
Neanderthals among mammoths: excavations at Lynford Quarry, Norfolk, UK
Fiction
Not all books on the subject of Stone Age to Iron Age are factual. Here are some of the best fictionalised accounts that will get young readers attention.
​
Baxter, S. (2010). Stone Spring. London: Gollancz
A novel set in Mesolithic Doggerland – the large area of land which now lies under the North Sea as a result of rising sea levels after the last Ice Age.
​
Brayne, J. (2016). Archer, Journey to Stonehenge. Small Boat Books.
An illustrated adventure story for children, set in the Beaker Period
​
Carter, J. (2012) ‘Lullaby for a Woolly Mammoth’ (in Journey to The Centre Of My Brain. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.
A poem for a mammoth for the younger reader to enjoy! KS1/2
​
Donaldson, J. & Gravett, E. (2011). Cave Baby. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.
By one our favourite children’s authors, this includes cave painting, one the defining features of the emergence of modern humans. Can your class paint? KS1/2
​
Elphinstone, M. (2010). The Gathering Night. Edinburgh: Cannongate Books
Described by reviewers as atmospheric and gripping, this story is set in Mesolithic Scotland and is unique in that it includes the impact of the only tsunami know to have hit the British Isles around 6,200 BC. KS2/3
Grant, J. in series Littlenose London: Hodder and BBC Books
13 books written for young readers at KS1 telling the story of a young Neanderthal boy named Littlenose and his pet mammoth Two Eyes.
​
Haggarty, B and Brockbank, A. (2010). Mezolith. Oxford: DFB Books
A graphic novel of a compelling tale of the adventures of a small tribal group of hunter-foragers living near the North Sea Basin around 9,000 years ago… The content is particularly aimed at KS2 but should engage KS3 readers too.
​
Kitamura, S. (2007). Stone Age Boy. London: Walker Books.
Engaging and very popular story of a boy who finds himself transported back to the Stone Age. Good for lots of ideas for lessons! KS1/2
​
Paver, M. The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. London: Orion Books.
A series of 6 novels for children set in the early Neolithic. They follow the quest of Torak, a boy whose father dies after being attacked by a demonic bear. Set in ‘northwest’ Europe the books feature many aspects of the archaeology of the Neolithic across the region. Useful for KS2/3.
​
Prue, S. (2013). Song Hunter. Oxford: Oxford University Press
The story of a Neanderthal girl called Mica living during an Ice Age and the meeting of neanderthals and modern man KS2/3
​
Sharrat, N. (2012) Caveman Dave. London: Walker Books.
Aimed at younger readers/KS1 this is a fun introduction to the world of prehistory.
​
Willis, J. & Ross, T. Mammoth Pie London: Andersen Press.
This book for younger reader tells the story of a very hungry caveman and his quest to make a mammoth pie. However, the mammoth on the hill won’t be easy to catch. His friends come along to help, but will they ever get to eat their mammoth pie? KS2 readers beware!
La Cotte de la St. Brelade 1961-1978
Websites
In the world of the internet there a many websites from which children can get information about the Stone Age to Iron Age. We have identified some that are really useful!
​
Council for British Archaeology’s bi-monthly magazine with many items about prehistory – recommended.
​
The British Museum – gateway to a world of knowledge!
​
National Museum of Scotland has some great 3D images of THE most mysterious objects from the New Stone Age (Neolithic). They are called Carved Stone Balls and you can see them when you follow the link!
The BBC - Archaeological selections from the archives.
​
Creswell Crags - The full story of a really exciting site!
The Natural History Museum - The museum’s pages on human evolution
​
The Museum of the Stone Age - A good example of what a keen amateur archaeologist can do.
The British Palaeolithic: human societies at the edge of the Pleistocene world.
In Closing...
We are of course always on the lookout for more resources for children that will help them tackle the Stone Age to Iron Age. As we come across them we’ll add them to this page. If you come across something you’d like to recommend please let us know!