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How do we know what
it was like in the Dark Ages?
- Archaeologists
have dug up the graves of lots of British men. However, because they
were Christians, they usually didn't have anything buried with them.
They didn't need to take possessions with them to Heaven.
- The British were
still Romans even though the army had gone back to
Europe. They wore
simple Romano-British style clothes.
- We know lots
about these styles from Roman writing and carving, and even
from pictures on mosaic floors (see picture).
- Most usual
were a short tunic, long or knee-length trousers (braccae) and a hooded
cloak (birrus britannicus). Cloaks without hoods quickly became
popular too.
- Clothes were
made of wool. Rich people might have been able to afford linen imported from
Gaul (France).
- Northern British
poetry tells us how men wore chequed and striped cloaks, pinned with
posh brooches.
- These were the 'penannular brooches' that
archaeologists have dug up at British settlements. Some were decorated
with colourful enamel work. The British were experts at this.
- Several men's
arm rings have been dug up on Anglesey. They are made of silver and
decorated with Celtic patterns.
- Archaeologists
have found bone combs that show that, like the Saxons, the British kept
their hair neat and tidy, as well as long.
- Saxon-style
jewelry, and probably clothing too, became popular with the British as
trade with the Saxons grew.
- Activity
Sheet available.
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