Pre-Saxon England: The Inhabitants Leading Up to the Saxon Era

Before the Saxons arrived, England was home to many civilizations and tribes. This article delves into the prehistoric and historic inhabitants of England, exploring the Celts and the wave of settlers that preceded them.

Timeline of Inhabitants before the Saxons

The timeline of inhabitants before the Saxons includes:

Prehistoric Humans: Early hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers who introduced agriculture to the region around 4000 BCE. Celtic Tribes: The Britons, who were the dominant culture before the Saxons arrived in the 5th century AD.

Early Inhabitants and Prehistoric Sites

The region that is now England saw the presence of early humans during the prehistoric period. These early inhabitants included both hunter-gatherers and later agricultural communities. Notable prehistoric sites like Stonehenge and Avebury indicate the presence of complex societies long before the Saxon invasion.

Celts and Early Kingdoms

The Celtic tribes, known as Britons, occupied much of what is now England and Wales. They were divided into several tribes such as the Iceni, Trinovantes, and Brigantes. Celtic culture was rich and influential, with the Britons forming several kingdoms prior to the Saxon era, including Wessex and Northumbria.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion and Integration

The Anglo-Saxon invasion of England in the 5th century AD was not an abrupt event but rather a gradual process. The tribes that migrated to Britain, including the Angles and Saxons, were originally from northern Germany. They were not entirely a new group; rather, they were descendants of the same people who continued to inhabit the region. By the time of the Saxon era, these groups numbered only around 300,000 to 400,000.

Integration and DNA Composition

The Saxons conquered southern Great Britain and the Angles conquered central Great Britain. However, modern DNA studies reveal that the majority of the populations in the Saxon and Angle kingdoms were still the ancient Britons who had occupied the entire island, including modern-day Scotland and Wales. Within a few generations, the ruling families of Saxons and Angles intermarried with the indigenous Britons, effectively merging the two populations.

To this day, the DNA of people whose ancestry in Great Britain goes back to 1066 or before is still predominantly ancient British, with at least 60% of the genetic makeup being from before the Saxon, Angle, Jute, and Norman invasions. This integration shows that the Saxon era was not as abrupt or invasive as it might first appear.

Conclusion

The history of England before the Saxons is a rich tapestry of different cultures and civilizations. From the earliest prehistoric humans to the dominant Celtic Britons, the region was inhabited by diverse peoples before the Anglo-Saxon era began. Understanding this history can provide valuable insights into the origins of modern British society and its genetic makeup.