750-450 BC Early Iron Age

The early Iron Age was period of change and continuity in north-west Europe. One of the most important innovations was using iron itself. Knowledge of how to work iron came to the region and this new metal eventually replaced bronze for making tools, weapons and farming implements.

Aspects of daily life and religion continued from the previous centuries. Most people continued to be cremated when they died and their ashes were buried in an urn in a cemetery. One change was that a small number of the dead were buried with large quantities of objects or more valuable objects than many other people. From about 600 BC in the area of central France, a very small number of individuals were buried in large tombs along with feasting paraphernalia and luxury items imported from the Mediterranean. Mounds of earth were often constructed over these special burial chambers. These very rich burials suggest a change in society with communities in these areas ruled by a small elite.

Trade with the Mediterranean was central to these new communities in central France. In the south there is also considerable evidence for contacts and trade with other parts of the Mediterranean, but less evidence for such a hierarchical society.