Editing History of the Isle of Man (section)

==Prehistory==
[[Image:Irish.Sea.at.Man.cross.section.jpg|thumb|150px|Cross-section of the Irish Sea through Man, showing sea levels.]]
[[Image:CIIC 504.gif|thumb|150px|[[Ogham]] stone from the Isle of Man showing the ''droim'' in centre. Text reads BIVAIDONAS MAQI MUCOI CUNAVA[LI]; in English: Of Bivaidonas, son of the tribe Cunava[li].]]

===Mesolithic===
The Isle of Man effectively became an island around 8,500 years ago at around the time when rising sea levels caused by the melting glaciers cut [[Mesolithic]] Britain off from continental Europe for the last time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Isle-of-Man/ |title=The History of The Isle of Man |last=Johnson |first=Ben |website=Historic UK}}</ref> There had earlier been a land bridge between the Isle of Man and Cumbria, but the location and opening of the land bridge remain poorly understood.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Hiverrell |editor-first1=Richard |editor-last2=Thomas |editor-first2=Geoffrey |name-list-style=amp |date=2006 |title=A New History of the Isle of Man, Volume 1 - The Evolution of the Natural Landscape |edition=1st |publisher=Liverpool University Press |pages=295–296 |isbn=0-85323-587-2}}</ref>

The earliest traces of people on the Isle of Man date back to the Mesolithic Period (Middle Stone Age, 8000 BC - 4000 BC).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manxnationalheritage.im/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/MOTM-EarlyPeople-AMesolithic.pdf |title=The Manx Mesolithic (8000 BC-4000 BC) |date=May 2020 |website=Manx National Heritage}}</ref> The first residents lived in small natural shelters, [[Hunter-gatherer|hunting, gathering and fishing]] for their food. They used small tools made of [[flint]] or bone, examples of which have been found near the coast. Examples of these artifacts are kept at the [[Manx National Heritage]] museum.

===Neolithic to Bronze Age===
The [[Neolithic]] Period marked the coming of [[farming]], improved [[stone tool]]s and [[pottery]]. During this period [[Megalith|megalithic monuments]] began to appear around the island. Examples are found at [[Cashtal yn Ard]] near [[Maughold]], [[King Orry's Grave]] in [[Laxey]], Meayll Circle near [[Cregneash]], and Ballaharra Stones in [[St John's, Isle of Man|St John's]]. The builders of the megaliths were not the only culture during this time; there are also remains of the local [[Ronaldsway culture]] (lasting from the late Neolithic into the Bronze Age).

===Iron Age===
The [[Iron Age]] marked the beginning of [[Celts|Celtic]] cultural influence. Large [[hill fort]]s appeared on hill summits and smaller promontory forts along the coastal cliffs, while large timber-framed [[roundhouse (dwelling)|roundhouses]] were built.

It is likely that the first Celts to inhabit the Island were [[Britons (historical)|Brythonic]] tribes from mainland Britain. The secular history of the Isle of Man during the Brythonic period remains mysterious. It is not known if the [[Roman Britain|Romans]] ever made a landing on the island and if they did, little evidence has been discovered. There is evidence for contact with Roman Britain as an [[amphora]] was discovered at the settlement on the [[South Barrule]]; it is hypothesised this may have been trade goods or plunder.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

It is generally assumed that Irish invasion or immigration formed the basis of the modern Manx language; Irish migration to the island probably began in the 5th century AD. This is evident in the change in language used in [[Ogham]] inscriptions. The transition between ''Manx Brythonic'' (a [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic language]] like modern [[Welsh language|Welsh]]) and ''[[Manx Gaelic]]'' (a [[Goidelic languages|Goidelic language]] like modern [[Scottish Gaelic]] and [[Irish language|Irish]]) may have been gradual. One question is whether the present-day Manx language survives from pre-Norse days or reflects a linguistic reintroduction after the Norse invasion. The island lends its name to ''[[Manannán mac Lir|Manannán]]'', the Brythonic and Gaelic sea god who is said in myth to have once ruled the island.