About Pathways to Ancient Britain

The Pathways to Ancient Britain (PAB) project focuses on three chronological periods of human presence in the British Isles, from the earliest occupation through to extinction of the Neanderthals and the emergence of modern humans. For each time span, the project focuses on specific sites that address key research questions relevant to the period.

Pathways to Ancient Britain (PAB) is funded by the Calleva Foundation. The PAB project is a successor to the earlier Ancient Human Occupations of Britain project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

Pathways to Ancient Britain: Pioneering Populations

Pioneering Populations: 1 million-500,000 years ago

Studying sites that were occupied from one million to 500,000 years ago, including Happisburgh in Norfolk.

Pathways to Ancient Britain: Successful Colonisers

Successful Colonisers: 500,000-300,000 yrs ago

Human occupation of the British Isles between 500,000 and 300,000 years ago, including Barnham, Suffolk.

Pathways to Ancient Britain: Emerging Neanderthals

Emerging Neanderthals: 240,000-40,000 years ago

Excavations around the island of Jersey reveal human relatives that lived 240,000 to 40,000 years ago.