Wakefield Museums and Castles

Archaeologists have found lots of prehistoric cemeteries around Ferrybridge Henge. Many of the graves in these cemeteries were distinctive.

Often Stone Age graves held cremations, but these burials were full bodies. The bodies were laid on their sides with their knees pulled up in a crouch position.

There were often other things placed in the graves with the body. Some burials had stone tools, or even metal objects.

Many had a special type of clay pot known as a beaker. These bell-shaped beakers were a new style of pot from Spain and Portugal. They were handmade by joining rings of wet clay, and decorated with designs of cut lines and stamped marks. 

The beakers were one of many new customs that came to Britain around 4500 years ago. Other new technologies at the time included bronze-working. 

This new society is often called the ‘Beaker Culture’ after the pots.