Thousands of years ago Scotland was covered by a thick sheet
of ice. Slowly this ice melted until about 10,000 years ago it
had all disappeared. The climate became still warmer and grass,
trees and other plants covered the land.
Sketch I shows what a typical valley in Scotland would have looked
like about 4,000 ago.
Examine Sketch I. - The valley 4,000 years ago.
At this time, Scotland was covered in forests within which wandered deer, wolves and other animals. About this time, the first people came to Scotland from further south in Europe. Their way of life was not much better than that of the animals. They hunted the creatures of the forest and gathered berries as they moved about the countryside.
1. Early people usually lived on the higher ground where there
were not so many trees.
Why do you think they would have been scared to live in the thick
forest?
2. In what parts of the world do we still find find 'primitive' peoples who live by hunting and gathering?
Examine Sketch 2. A Celtic hilltop village in the valley (200 B.C.)
If we were to revisit the same valley nearly 2,000 years later,
we would find some important changes. A permanent settlement
has been built on the hill by the Celtic people and some of the
trees have been cleared to make way for fields. This would only
be a small village with perhaps a potter, a blacksmith and a
few other craftsmen. Most of the villagers would, however, be
farmers.
The forests are still there and, as before, these are inhabited
by wild beasts. A few rough tracks lead through the forest to
other villages. The river can be a problem to cross if there
has been a lot of rain. These villagers have only built one really
permanent building. This is the stone temple on the other hill.
3. Before they built their home, early people had to carefully
choose the best site.
The following factors would be important:- a nearby water supply;
good flat farm land;
an easy site to defend and
timber for building.
Which of these factors did the Celtic people find in this valley?
4. What fuel might these people have used for cooking?
5. List some wild animals which you think might have lived in the forest.
6. What domestic animals might these people have kept?
Examine Sketch 3. Roman Villa and Celtic Village in the Valley (A.D. 300)
About 300 A.D. we would still find a Celtic settlement in the valley. Since we last examined this valley, the village has grown a little larger and the stone temple has started to fall into ruin. A big Roman villa has been built on the flat land beside the river and a lot of the forest around this villa has been cut down to make fields. The Romans have built a good road across the valley and this crosses the river on a stone bridge. The Celtic people need not fear attack from other villages as a Roman army is garrisoned near by and this protects them.
7. Which factors do you think would have been most important to the Romans when they decided to site their stone villa on the valley floor next to the river?
8. Where, in the sketch, might the Romans have got stone to build their villa, their bridge and their road?
9. What language did the Romans speak?
Examine Sketch 4. Britons' Village in the Valley (A.D. 800)
By the year 800 A.D. we find that the Celtic village has been abandoned and no trace of it is left in the valley. Remains of their temple can, however, still be seen on the other side of the valley. On the valley floor the Roman villa has fallen into ruins and Britons has built their village of wooden and turf huts around it. Stones from the old Roman villa have been used to build a church. Sheep and cattle would graze on the land around the village and oxen would be used to plough the fields. The Roman bridge is in good condition and the Roman road, though having many pot holes in it, is still an important route way.
10. A settlement is never permanent but only exists as long
as people wants to live at that place.
Which of the following reasons do you think best explains why
did Britons chose to live on the floor of the valley rather than
on the hill where the Celtic people lived? :-
a.) There was a better view on the valley floor.
b.) The valley floor had better farmland and was nearer to a
water supply.
c.) The valley floor was easier to defend.
11. Carefully compare sketches 3 and 4 and name any other changes you can see in the valley.
Examine Sketch 5. The Valley during the Middle Ages. (A.D.1300)
As time passes then so the pattern of settlement in the valley
changes. By the year 1300 quite a number of important changes
have taken place.
The village on the valley floor has now become a small town with
a huddle of stone houses grouped about a square near its centre.
The church has altered a little but across the river a fine monastery
has been built and flocks of sheep graze around it. The Roman
bridge is still in use and the remains of the temple can still
be seen. The hill, where the Celtic village once was, is now
a site of a new settlement.
12. As we have already seen, settlements are built in particular
places because of favourable location factors such as :- good
supply of water;
good flat land;
local supply of building material;
good defensive site etc...
Which of these would be important in locating the castle on the
hill?
13. It would be a difficult task for people to carry water
from the river to the castle.
How else might the people in the castle get water?
Examine Sketch 6. The Valley in Early Modern Times.(1680)
By 1680 the town on the valley floor has grown larger and a number of merchants and craftsmen live in it. The monastery is partly ruined and a rich merchant lives in the rest of it. The castle walls have fallen into ruin but the keep is still lived in by the local landowner.The Roman bridge and road are still in use but the temple on the hill has fallen further into ruin. Sheep farming is still important on the land outside the village.
14. What changes can you see in the town between sketches
5 and 6 ?
You should mention size and shape of the town as well as types
of houses.
Examine Sketch 7 - Industrial town in the valley(1820)
By 1820 the town of merchants and craftsmen has become an
industrial town of factories and tenements. The richer people
live in houses on the edge of the town. A canal has been dug
from the river past the factories because, although the factories
use coal for power, water is required for industrial uses.
A new bridge has been built over the river as the Roman one collapsed.
Another bridge is sited further upstream as the town is an important
route centre where roads from surrounding areas meet. The old
monastery is now a private school. The castle and the temple
are now both ruins.
Sheep and cattle graze the higher land surrounding the town but
nearly all the arable land on the valley floor has been built
on.
Over the town hangs a cloud of smoke.This is typical of towns
during the industrial revolution.
15. Water was needed in the factories for "Industrial
uses".
In what ways do you think industry use water at this time?
16. Why do you think the richer people preferred to live on the edge of the town rather than in the centre?
17. Where in this town would you rather have lived? Why?
Examine Sketch 8- Victorian town in the valley. (1900)
By 1900 the industrial town has further grown in size to completely fill the valley floor. The old part beside the canal is where the grimy factories are found. A railway line crosses the valley and a few puffer boats chug along the river. The town is taking over more and more of the countryside and most of the food eaten by the towns people now comes from abroad. The old castle and the temple are still there and a park has been set beside the river in the town.
18. Coal was a very important fuel at this time. Try to name:-
a) (Using sketch 8) As many ways as you can see coal being used.
b) (using your own knowledge) Other fuels which are important
now.
Examine Sketch 9. Modern -day town in the valley.
A number of changes have taken place in the town since 1900. Some of the old factories and tenements near the centre of the town have been demolished and replaced by modern factories and high -rise flats. At the town centre is a modern shopping complex with office building above it. the canal is no longer used and has been filled in. The railway is now diesel and factories are powered by electricity.The ruined castle and temple are now in the care of the department of the environment and people have to pay to visit these buildings.
19. When they have survived for so long why do you think the castle and the temple have to be protected today?
20. Which of the following factors do you think is the most
important now in the siting of the town?
A.Good flat farmland.
B.A good water supply.
C.An easy site to defend.
D.A local supply of building material.
or can you think of an other one which is more important?
