by WeChat official account "ObervingfromIoM" 2024-03-18 15:24
The history exhibition area of the Isle of Man Museum offers a condensed version of this small island's past. Let's take a look together. First, for ease of understanding, let's roughly compare it to Chinese history:
Timeline of Isle of Man History
- Approximately 2500 years ago: Earliest evidence of settlement on the Isle of Man, with human activity dating back to the Stone Age. Corresponds to China's Neolithic period, when humans began using stone tools, marking the primitive stages of agriculture and craftsmanship.
- Around 1000 BCE: Beginning of the Bronze Age, with inhabitants of the Isle of Man starting to produce bronze artifacts. Corresponds to China's Bronze Age, where bronze production and usage became mainstream, further advancing agriculture and craftsmanship.
- 5th century BCE: Celts begin settling on the Isle of Man. Corresponds to China's Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, characterized by feudal states' struggles for dominance, blossoming of culture and thought, and the activities of philosophers like Confucius and Laozi.
- 1st century BCE: Romans possibly land on the Isle of Man but do not establish permanent settlements. Corresponds to China's Qin and Han Dynasties, with China adopting centralized imperial governance under Qin Shi Huang, unifying the six states, and the prosperous "Wenjing Reign" during Emperor Wu of Han's era.
- 5th century CE: Isle of Man gradually becomes territory of Anglo-Saxons. Corresponds to China's Northern and Southern Dynasties period, with China divided into Northern and Southern dynasties, including Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Southern Qi, and Southern Liang.
- 9th century CE: Vikings begin invading the Isle of Man, establishing rule. Corresponds to China's mid-Tang Dynasty, marked by prosperity in culture and the arts but also political corruption and frequent peasant uprisings.
- 10th century CE: Isle of Man becomes a territory of the Duchy of Normandy. Corresponds to China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, characterized by political fragmentation and turmoil.
- 1266 CE: Isle of Man comes under the rule of the Kingdom of Scotland. Corresponds to China's Southern Song Dynasty, which confronts the Jin Dynasty in the north, experiencing political turbulence and social reforms.
- 1333 CE: Kingdom of England recaptures the Isle of Man. Corresponds to China's Yuan Dynasty, ruled by the Mongol-founded Yuan Empire, marked by economic diversity and vitality.
- 1405 CE: King Henry IV of England grants the Isle of Man to John Stanley. Corresponds to China's mid-Ming Dynasty, a period of prosperity marked by territorial expansion, economic growth, and cultural flourishing.
- 1765 CE: British Parliament officially grants the Isle of Man "limited autonomy." Corresponds to China's Qing Dynasty during the Qianlong era, representing the late feudal period marked by intensified social contradictions, yet the zenith of feudal society in China.
- 1866 CE: Isle of Man gains its own government, separate from the legislative body of England. Corresponds to China's late Qing Dynasty, a turbulent period marked by foreign invasions, domestic unrest, and social crises, representing a tumultuous period in modern Chinese history.
- 20th century: Isle of Man gradually develops into a tourist destination and financial center, also becoming one of the most important venues for motor racing events in the world. Corresponds to modern Chinese history, encompassing events such as the Xinhai Revolution, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Civil War, and the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
The history exhibition may initially surprise visitors by revealing that the Isle of Man has a rich historical context, rather than being a deserted island settled by a Robinson Crusoe figure. From the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, the island bears intact remnants of human activities. The era of the Vikings ushered in a new chapter in its history.
Before delving into the ancient history exhibition, there is a small area dedicated to the geological history of the Isle of Man. The most striking feature is a large and complete fossil of a reindeer, seemingly transporting us back to the glacial age when reindeer herds roamed the Isle of Man.
There's also a small screen playing a video that illustrates the changing position of the Isle of Man from the ancient continent to its present location as part of the British Isles. It's as if the "British Isles" are three brothers, setting off from the southern end of the Earth, undergoing twists and turns, finally arriving at their current positions and diverging. The process of billions of years is certainly worth a pause for reflection.
Speaking of three brothers, the famous Bee Gees band's three brothers were born on the Isle of Man, and life-size statues of them stand on the seaside in the capital, Douglas.
Today, let's first explore the ancient section of the exhibition, which roughly corresponds to the pre-Qin and Han periods in Chinese civilization.
Stone Age: Earliest settlers on the Isle of Man
Approximately 2500 years ago, the earliest evidence of settlement appeared on the Isle of Man. This was the Stone Age, where humans began using stone tools, entering the primitive stages of agriculture and craftsmanship. During this period, the island's inhabitants primarily relied on hunting, gathering, and simple farming. They used stone to fashion tools such as axes, knives, and spears for hunting, cutting, and digging. They also constructed simple dwellings using stone and mud, often semi-subterranean to protect them from harsh weather.
Bronze Age: Technological advancement of the Manx people
Around 1000 BCE, the Isle of Man entered the Bronze Age. During this period, the inhabitants began producing bronze artifacts, marking a significant advancement in their technological prowess. They learned to smelt copper and tin together to produce harder and more durable bronze. The emergence of bronze artifacts significantly improved the lives of the Manx people. They began crafting bronze swords, shields, and axes as weapons, greatly enhancing their combat capabilities. Additionally, they started manufacturing bronze utensils, tools, and ornaments, reflecting the prosperity and progress of Manx society.
Celtic Settlement: Cultural prosperity on the Isle of Man
In the 5th century BCE, Celts began settling on the Isle of Man. The Celts were an ancient people whose language, culture, and art had a profound impact on European history. The arrival of the Celts enriched and developed the culture of the Isle of Man significantly. They brought advanced agricultural techniques, leading to a significant improvement in agricultural production on the island. They also brought exquisite arts and crafts, such as metalwork, pottery, and textiles, reflecting the Celts' superior artistic skills and unique aesthetics. The Celtic settlement made the Isle of Man a region of cultural prosperity and economic development.
These are the three important stages of Isle of Man history. From the earliest settlers of the Stone Age to the technological advancements of the Bronze Age, and the Celtic settlements, the history of the Isle of Man is filled with changes and developments. These historical traces are deeply imprinted on the land of the Isle of Man, shaping its unique culture and identity. In the following articles, we will continue to delve into the history of the Isle of Man, taking you into the island's past. We hope you'll find enjoyment and knowledge in this process, and we also hope that our public account can serve as a window for you to understand the Isle of Man.
While visiting the museum, perhaps we'll take a break for a cup of tea or coffee, and chat with a brother and sister from Taishan, Guangdong. Their stories are so vivid and familiar.
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