1-152-527 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Artist's reconstruction of a late Iron Age forge, 1890. In the centre a smith is hammering iron, while in the background another is working at the furnace. The Iron Age in Britain lasted from around 700 BC until 43 AD and the arrival of the Romans. It was characterised by an influx of people from the continent, who brought their knowledge of iron technology with them.