| ||||||||||
|
|
|
 |
 |
Discover how the landscape of the Peak District has changed over time. This timeline introduces a period in the Peak District and compares it with significant events happening elsewhere in Britain and the world. You may notice that the lengths of time covered by each period becomes shorter the closer to the present we get - this is because we have more evidence for the more recent periods. Since the last Ice Age, over 333 generations have born and died, if we take a generation to be 30 years. A great deal of tangible evidence about these people, from all periods of the past, still survives today: where they lived, where they farmed, the special places where they met to celebrate or mourn, the monuments that expressed their beliefs. What will our generation leave for the future? To find out more about each period you can click on the link. |
 |
Gatherer-HuntersMesolithic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
Mesolithic flint and chert microliths found on Kinder Scout |
||
Britain:
Star Carr, North Yorkshire, occupied as a base camp over winter.
World:
Farming already begins separately in Middle East and Peru by 8000 BC. First towns and pottery in Middle East.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
The first domesticated animals and crops are introduced by mobile agriculturalists and herders. Monumental chambered tombs, stone circles, henges and causewayed enclosures are built.
 |
Arbor Low henge overlooks a shallow valley on the limestone plateau |
Britain:
Monuments such as Avebury henge, Wiltshire and Callanesh, Hebrides are built.
World:
Writing and the wheel invented in Middle East, pyramids built in Egypt
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
Sustained, settled agriculture develops, burial barrows, family monuments and ‘hillforts’ built.
 |
The prominent position chosen for Mam Tor ‘hillfort’ makes it visible for miles around |
Britain:
Stonehenge, Wiltshire in use in Bronze Age.
‘Hillforts’ such as Maiden Castle, Dorset and Stanwick, Yorkshire are inhabited in Iron Age.
World:
Use of iron invented in Middle East, rise of Greek society from Minoan to Classical, first Great Wall of China is built.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
Roman military arrive in the 70s AD. Roman forts built at Brough and Glossop, a spa at Buxton and Roman roads cross the region. There are many Romano-British farms and lead mining is well organised.
 |
Romano-British fields at Chee Tor |
Britain:
Claudian Invasion occurs in 43AD then Romans spread north during following decades. Forts, towns, villas and roads are superimposed on the Iron Age/Romano-British farming landscape.
World:
Roman Empire covers much of Europe, Middle East and North Africa. States develop in Japan.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
The region of the Pecsaetne, with rich 7th century Anglian barrow burials on the limestone plateau. Grey Ditch is constructed near Bradwell and may indicate the presence of ‘British’ communities in the Hope Valley. A burh is built at Bakewell in 923 AD. By the 11th century AD the region is divided into large Royal estates.
 |
The impressive Grey Ditch earthwork near Bradwell |
Britain:
The Roman administration collapses in the early 5th century AD. There is native rule then the gradual rise to dominance of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and Wessex by the 8th century and Danish influence in the 9th century. The English kingdom is created in the early 9th century.
World:
Charlemagne creates the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ in Europe and Mohammed spreads Islam through the Middle East. Maya city-states are built in central America and pueblos in north America.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
Peak District is subdivided between large Royal estates, powerful lords and monastic granges. Settlement comprises villages and strip fields on the limestone plateau and Derwent Valley, with dispersed farms and hamlets to the north and west. Lead mining was the major industry.
 |
Melting snow picks out the ridge and furrow of Castleton’s Medieval open field |
Britain:
The Norman Conquest of 1066 leads to the Domesday Book in 1086. Impressive stone castles, manor houses, cathedrals and monasteries are built. The Black Death and climatic decline in the 14th century reduces traditional feudal practice.
World:
Aztecs ruled Central America and by the 15th century their capital was the largest city in the world. The Incas dominated South America.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
Peak District seen as an upland backwater but lead mining is extremely productive. Farming and rural settlement continue much as before except that the dissolution of the monasteries in the mid-16th century benefit some prominent local families who acquire monastic estates
 |
Tideslow lead rake |
Britain:
The 16th century is a time of Renaissance and Reformation. An important aspect of the latter is the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s and the granting of monastic lands to private owners. Civil War in 1642-46 leads to the Commonwealth between 1649 and 1660.
World:
Start of global exploration, Europeans 'discover' America and explore Pacific, beginnings of colonialism.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
Much of the region’s commons are enclosed. Turnpikes replace traditional packhorse routes and the Cromford and High Peak Railway of 1830 is one of the earliest in the country. Extensive industry includes lead and coal mining, stone quarrying, lime production and cotton/silk milling. The Peak District becomes a popular tourist destination.
 |
Large, regular enclosure movement fields in the background contrast with fossilized strip fields in the foreground |
Britain:
The landscape is dramatically changed. The Industrial Revolution leads to mass migrations to the new cities while the Enclosure Movement removes traditional communal rights by privatising commons. New networks of turnpike roads, then canals then railways are built. Tourism develops with fashionable spas, bathing resorts and tours of the uplands.
World:
As capitalism spreads throughout Europe and America, nation states are created who then battle each other for military and economic supremacy. Colonial empire building reaches its height. These bring major changes to landscapes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peak District:
The demand for rambling leads to the Mass Trespass on Kinder in 1932 and the formation of the National Park in 1951. Traditional farming and industries decline in importance while the demand for second homes and holiday accommodation increases. The region also becomes a water source for nearby cities.
 |
Ladybower Reservoir supplies East Midlands cities and introduces new opportunities for recreation |
Britain:
Increased technological advance, together with radical social and political change, and a trend towards globalisation, grows through the 20th century. In the second half of the century, farming becomes more intensive and traditional manufacturing industries decline.
World:
Traditional colonial powers decline and relinquish control of their empires. More countries enter into the global economy and replace traditional land-use with cash crops for export. Global warming threatens to alter world landscapes dramatically.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
