Page 65 - SYTYGIB Prehistoric Times

Gaul
Gaul was an area of western Europe that covered what is now modern-day France and parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, western Germany, and northern Italy. It was inhabited by Celtic tribes and was invaded and conquered by the Romans just over 2,000 years ago. Those Romans just LOVED a bit of invading and conquering!
Long Barrow
Long barrows are ancient stone monuments to the dead. They are made of elongated mounds of stone containing a passage and chambers, which hold the bones of between five and 50 men, women, and children. If you have a long barrow in your garden shed, it´s hopefully for moving earth and leaves and does NOT contain 50 skeletons!
Mineralised
Archaeologists have managed to find out interesting things about ancient diet and disease by studying lumps of mineralised poo called copralites. Mineralisation is what happens when organic matter (poo, leaves, wood, etc.) becomes hard and like stone over time. It´s SO exciting that your poo could become an important fossil in a few thousand years´ time.
Mortal
In ancient cultures around the world, beings were separated into gods and mortals. Mortals were normal humans with no special powers, unlike gods. No offence intended, but you are a mortal . . . unless you are keeping a VERY cool secret.
Nomadic
People who are nomadic travel around from one area to another and don´t have a settled home. In prehistoric times, Stone Age hunter-gatherers were nomadic so they could follow the animals they ate or find other food. Going on nice summer holidays in a caravan means you´re lucky, not nomadic.
Quern
A quern was a type of hand-operated mill used for grinding corn. It was made of two circular stones, with the top one being rotated to turn grain into flour for making bread. Bits of sand and grit would come off the stones and end up in the bread, which wore down people´s gnashers and brings a whole new meaning to the term “through gritted teeth”.
Ritual
Religious life in ancient times would often involve rituals, which are ceremonies during which people did or said certain things in a certain order. It was very important to people that they got them right, as they believed rituals could affect their lives very deeply. Practical jokes involving whoopee cushions were frowned upon.
Solstice
The solstices are the longest and shortest days of the year. In the northern half of the Earth, the winter solstice happens when the North Pole is tilted farthest from the sun. When the North Pole is tilted towards the sun, that´s the summer solstice. It has to happen on a planetary scale though – simply tilting yourself towards or away from the sun won´t make the day longer or shorter.
Supernatural
Powers beyond nature, like fairies and spirits, have always been an important part of belief. When something is supernatural it means it comes from an unseen force that falls outside the laws of nature or scientific understanding. Your best pal´s bottom burps after a large helping of cauliflower cheese may fall into this category.
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