2200-800 BC Bronze Age

The landscape of south-east England is dominated by the chalk hills of the North and South Downs and the Chilterns, enclosing the varied terrain of the Weald of Kent and the London basin. Rivers rise in the Weald, the Chilterns and the Hampshire Downs, then flow towards the long coastline facing east and south. Settlement during the Bronze Age appears to have been concentrated in the river valleys and on the coastline, though important evidence has also been found in the uplands, where survival is better.

This region is Britain’s closest point to mainland Europe. British finds of continental European bronze objects and ceramic vessels as well as occasional probable shipwreck sites show that communities took regular advantage of the short sea crossings. This led to certain aspects of culture being shared on both sides of the English Channel. There were inevitable connections inland as well, mainly by the east-west ridgeways and the branching Thames river system. Nevertheless, the evidence from sites and artefacts points to the existence of three or more cultural territories within the region.