Settling in Stone: Tracing the First Steps of British Towns

Embark on a journey through time with Ye Olde Guide as we delve into the origins of English towns. In this episode, we unravel the practical and theoretical definitions of urban life, tracing its evolution from the late Stone Age to the Norman Conquest. Discover how early communities transformed from nomadic tribal settlements to clustered focal points with hints of unified governance. Explore the archaeological evidence that sheds light on prehistoric permanent housing, causewayed enclosures, Bronze Age settlements, Iron Age hillforts, and Roman towns. Uncover the stories behind Roman civitates, Saxon burghs, and trading wics, and witness how towns shaped the landscape before and after the Norman conquest. Join us as we uncover the foundations of English towns, where communal living and urban planning began to shape the course of history.