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An introduction to Mesolithic Britain: Life after the Ice Age

In this blog I’m on the Northumberland coast at Howick. I’m excited to introduce you to the Mesolithic period, a fascinating era of prehistory that marks the transition from the Old Stone Age and the gradual warming of the Earth after the last Ice Age. I’ll be giving you an overview of this important period, which I’ll be diving deeper into in upcoming blogs.

Howick, Northumberland

The end of the Paleolithic and the last Ice Age

The Mesolithic period began after the Paleolithic – also known as the Old Stone Age – which lasted from around 3.3 million years ago right through until approximately 10,000 BC. During this time, the Earth experienced the last Ice Age, a significant phase of freezing and thawing that spanned roughly a million years.

As the Ice Age came to an end around 10,000 BC, temperatures began to rise globally, causing the massive ice sheets to melt. This shift in climate allowed Britain to become habitable once again. For the first time in a long period, human settlers could return to these islands and begin new lives in what was then a relatively untouched wilderness.

An example of a Mesolithic comunity

The arrival of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers

With the warming of the climate, Britain transformed into a lush, vibrant landscape. It was during this time that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers arrived in Britain. These people were part of a migration from central Europe, moving through areas that are now submerged under the North Sea. At that time, this landmass, known as Doggerland, formed a vast plain that connected Britain to the rest of Europe, making it easier for groups to travel across and settle here.

These Mesolithic people were the first to re-populate Britain, settling in what was now a very different environment from the cold tundra of the Ice Age. With new plant life and animals entering the region, it became a much more hospitable place for humans.

Doggerland

A changing environment and diet

The landscape of Britain during the Mesolithic period was one of transformation. As the climate warmed, the land evolved from frozen tundra to deciduous woodland, rich with life. New animal species like wild cattle, boar, and deer made their way into the region, creating an ideal environment for hunter-gatherers to thrive.

The Mesolithic people were highly adaptable, living off the land and developing tools to hunt, fish, and gather. One of their staple foods came from the abundance of hazelnut trees that flourished during this time. Hazelnuts were a vital source of nutrition and played a significant role in their diet. Alongside the nuts, Mesolithic Britons would hunt game and forage for edible plants, making the most of the resources available in their environment.

Tools in the Great North Museum which were excavated at Howick.

A rich and diverse ecosystem

One of the key features of Mesolithic Britain was the abundance of natural resources. The warming climate made Britain an incredibly fertile region, supporting diverse ecosystems of plants and animals. The Mesolithic people, as hunter-gatherers, were deeply connected to the land and were highly skilled in navigating and exploiting this rich environment for food, shelter, and tools.

It’s fascinating to think about how different the British Isles were during this period compared to what we know today. The lush woodlands, teeming with life, must have been an inviting haven for the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, and it’s easy to see why they were drawn here.

Ancient Woodlands

Making sense of the Mesolithic

I know that talking about a period of history that spans thousands of years can feel a bit overwhelming – it’s hard to comprehend just how far back in time we’re talking about. But the Mesolithic is such a fascinating period of history, and I’m excited to help make it a bit more tangible for you.

Over the next few blogs, we’ll be diving deeper into this era, exploring the lives of these early settlers and how they adapted to their environment. We’ll also look at the tools and techniques they used to survive in a landscape that was, in many ways, so different from what we know today.

I hope this has been a helpful introduction to the Mesolithic period and given you some context about what life was like in Britain after the last Ice Age. If you are interested in this, I also offer a tour which covers this period.

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