The Story of Wales

Episode
Episode One: The Makings of Wales
Broadcast Info
2012 (60 mins)
Description
We begin with a modern maternity hospital, Paviland and a big statement of intent for the whole series.
Then we explore our Celtic (or is it?) pre-history. We show the huge scale of maritime trade and the movement of people and technology in pre-historic Wales. We visit great stone monuments like Bryn Celli Ddu and the largest mine in the prehistoric world. We challenge the very idea of Celtic invasions, but show the impressive organisation of Iron Age Wales before the arrival of the Romans. The big shock of the Roman occupation is the sheer weight of the Imperial presence across Wales and the way in which even our most warlike tribe, the Silures, adapts to the opportunities of trade and civilisation.
When the Romans leave, there’s a sense of confusion and abandonment, but also a moment of invention: Britain emerges. And in the Age of the Saints, learning and religion in Wales light up the Dark Ages.
Genre
History; Social Science

How to cite this record

The Open University, "The Story of Wales". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ou/search/index.php/prog/82589 (Accessed 11 Jan 2025)