Mesolithic (jan 1, 9600 BC – jan 1, 5500 BC)

Description:

Begins 9600 BC: The Mesolithic starts at the end of it last Ice age/beginning of global warming= start of the Holocene.

Ends c. 5500 BC*:
> The Mesolithic ends with the introduction of farming and other aspects of the Neolithisation of Europe. This moment differs in per location in Europe, namely:
- SE Europe: 7000 BC
- central Europe: 5500 BC
- Denmark 4100 BC

Important for the exam: 9600 - 5500 BC


Key facts:

9600 BC: global warming sets in;
- the environmental consequences of global warming (tundra becomes deciduous forest;
drowning of land; new ecological niche; formation of North Sea;

DEFINING ARTIFACTS of Mesolithic:
> microliths and bone tools such as harpoons;

Mesolithic way of life:
- Broad spectrum hunting/gathering, incl. fowling, shell collecting and
fishing; this is in contrast to how hunter/gatherers of late Pleistocene lived (these were more specialised in f.i. reindeer).

* "in our class we will work with the datings for central Europe/Low Countries, which is c. 9600 BC-5500 BC." (SYLABUS)

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