Earliest evidence of human presence in Britain in the form of flint tools found alongside earliest footprints at Happisburgh in Norfolk. 800,000 BP.

Earliest hearth found in Britain at Beeches Pit near West Stow in Suffolk. 400,000 BP.

Dipping dark band is burned horizon at Cutting 2, Beeches Pit, Suffolk 1992. © Tim Holt-Wilson

Earliest artwork in Britain, a horse carved on a bone from Creswell Crags in Nottinghamshire. 12,500 BP.

Go to the British Museum website to see it.

Earliest metal tools found in Britain in the grave of the Amesbury Archer. 2300 BC.

Go to Wessex Archaeology website to see it.

Earliest wheel found in Britain at Flag Fen in Cambridgeshire. 1300 BC.

Earliest wheel found in Britain at Flag Fen in Cambridgeshire © Francis Pryor

Earliest amphora imported from the Roman Empire found off the south coast near Hengistbury Head c. 100 BC.

Fragments of Roman amphorae found at Hengistbury Head in Hampshire dating to c. 100 BC © Red House Museum