Framed Print : Iron Age farming N080555

EDITORS COMMENTS

This reconstruction drawing by Ivan Lapper, titled "Old Oswesty Hill Fort, Shropshire," transports us back in time to the Iron Age, an era marked by significant advancements in farming practices. The image showcases the meticulous organization and integration of animal husbandry and arable cultivation within the confines of an Iron Age hill fort. At the heart of the scene lies a hill fort, its imposing walls and defensive structures a testament to the community's resilience and ingenuity. Within this fortified settlement, a thriving agricultural landscape unfolds. Farm animals, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, graze peacefully on the lush, green pastures, their presence essential for the fertility of the soil. Surrounding the fort, arable fields stretch out in a well-planned, geometric pattern. The intricate design of the fields suggests the use of advanced agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation and terracing, which allowed the Iron Age farmers to maximize their yields and adapt to the challenging terrain. The Iron Age was a period of innovation and adaptation, and this drawing beautifully illustrates the harmonious coexistence of animal husbandry and arable farming within a fortified community. The intricate details of the drawing, from the individual animals to the carefully tended fields, serve as a poignant reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancestors. Ivan Lapper's masterful illustration invites us to contemplate the daily lives of the Iron Age farmers who once inhabited this land, and to appreciate the profound impact of agriculture on the development of human civilization.