The Iron Age and Celts

The Bronze Age was followed by the Iron Age, when people made weapons and tools from iron. People lived in roundhouses grouped into larger settlements, sometimes defended by hill forts like Maiden Castle in Dorset. Most people were farmers, craft workers or warriors. They spoke a Celtic language — related languages are still spoken in parts of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The first British coins were minted in this period, some inscribed with names of Iron Age kings.