Download - Mesolithic Pleistocene/Holocene Transition Hunter-Gatherer Complexity Mesolithic in Europe, Scandanavia, SW Asia, East Asia

MesolithicMesolithic

Pleistocene/Holocene TransitionPleistocene/Holocene Transition

Hunter-Gatherer ComplexityHunter-Gatherer Complexity

Mesolithic in Europe, Scandanavia, Mesolithic in Europe, Scandanavia, SW Asia, East AsiaSW Asia, East Asia

Pleistocene/Holocene Pleistocene/Holocene TransitionTransition

10-12,000 years ago.10-12,000 years ago. Changes in ice distribution and sea levels Changes in ice distribution and sea levels

irregular.irregular. Core borings of coral beds shows that sea Core borings of coral beds shows that sea

levels at glacial max were 121 meters levels at glacial max were 121 meters below modern levels. They rose by 20 below modern levels. They rose by 20 between 15 and 10,500 years ago, then a between 15 and 10,500 years ago, then a rise of 24 meters in 1,000 years.rise of 24 meters in 1,000 years.

Levels had significance to geography.Levels had significance to geography. Bering Land Bridge formed.Bering Land Bridge formed. North Sea flooded.North Sea flooded. Britain separated from the continent.Britain separated from the continent.

Vegetation, Fauna, Vegetation, Fauna, Temp, RainfallTemp, Rainfall

Northern latitudes after the ice Northern latitudes after the ice sheet shifted from glacial tundra to sheet shifted from glacial tundra to northern forest.northern forest.

Pleistocene mammals such as Pleistocene mammals such as mammoth, mastodon, Bmammoth, mastodon, Bison ison antiquusantiquus, camelids, others extinct. , camelids, others extinct.

Temperatures became warmer, Temperatures became warmer, rainfall increased.rainfall increased.

All responsible for major changes in All responsible for major changes in complexity.complexity.

Why Cultural Changes?Why Cultural Changes?

Why didn’t changes occur earlier Why didn’t changes occur earlier during other climatic shifts (last during other climatic shifts (last interglacial 120,000 years ago)??interglacial 120,000 years ago)??

population density increasedpopulation density increased carrying capacity became carrying capacity became

stressed, people couldn’t move as stressed, people couldn’t move as freely so restricted mobility and freely so restricted mobility and greater competition for resources.greater competition for resources.

Ice Core DataIce Core Data

Sea Level Changes (~330 Sea Level Changes (~330 feet)feet)

Pleistocene Holocene

Pleistocene Mammal Pleistocene Mammal ExtinctionsExtinctions

natural declinesnatural declines over-exploitation by humansover-exploitation by humans habitat modification by humanshabitat modification by humans human introduction of foreign human introduction of foreign

organismsorganisms

ConsequencesConsequences

People began to be less mobile.People began to be less mobile. Exploit a greater variety of resources.Exploit a greater variety of resources. Changes in TechnologyChanges in Technology

downsizing of projectile points.downsizing of projectile points. specialized hunting weapons.specialized hunting weapons. bow and arrow in the Old World around bow and arrow in the Old World around

15,00015,000 versatile toolkits.versatile toolkits. storage technology, such as basket and storage technology, such as basket and

clay-line pits for nut and wild plant seedsclay-line pits for nut and wild plant seeds

Hunter-Gatherer Hunter-Gatherer ComplexityComplexity StereotypeStereotype

Hunter-gatherers move around a lot Hunter-gatherers move around a lot and live in small groupsand live in small groups

Based on living, marginal groups such Based on living, marginal groups such as the !Kung San and the Inuit.as the !Kung San and the Inuit.

Much greater diversity existed at end of Much greater diversity existed at end of Pleistocene.Pleistocene.

!Kung san camp (http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_agrev/3-Hunting-and-Gathering/hunt-gathering1.htm)l

Hunter-GatherersHunter-Gatherers Gathering in temperate and tropic areas Gathering in temperate and tropic areas

provides 75 to 80% of the total calories provides 75 to 80% of the total calories consumed, with hunting providing the consumed, with hunting providing the rest. rest.

In existing hunting and gathering In existing hunting and gathering cultures, women usually do most of the cultures, women usually do most of the gathering, while the men specialize in gathering, while the men specialize in hunting. hunting.

They live in a small, personal world They live in a small, personal world defined by the band, which seldom defined by the band, which seldom consists of more than 250 people. consists of more than 250 people. http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_agrev/3-Hunting-and-Gathering/hunt-gathering2.html

Conditions for more Conditions for more complexitycomplexity

Higher-than normal pop, concentrated in Higher-than normal pop, concentrated in relatively small areas such as river valleys, relatively small areas such as river valleys, circumscribed by geography and neighbors.circumscribed by geography and neighbors.

More intense, diverse, specialized food More intense, diverse, specialized food gathering.gathering.

Food storage and preservationFood storage and preservation Permanent and nearly permanet settlements, Permanent and nearly permanet settlements,

often linear.often linear. Highly developed food procurement and Highly developed food procurement and

processing technologies.processing technologies. Divison of labor , Simple social ranking, and Divison of labor , Simple social ranking, and

trade.trade. More elaborate ritual and ceremonial beliefsMore elaborate ritual and ceremonial beliefs..

Population growth over Population growth over timetime

http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/human_pop.html

Mesolithic in Europe Mesolithic in Europe Mesolithic forest and coastal h-gs replaced Mesolithic forest and coastal h-gs replaced

tundra reindeer hunters around 13,000 b.p.tundra reindeer hunters around 13,000 b.p. Not impoverished as earlier thought but rich in Not impoverished as earlier thought but rich in

wildlife such as red and roe deer, many plant wildlife such as red and roe deer, many plant foods.foods.

Coast, estuaries very productive.Coast, estuaries very productive. Called affluent foragers.Called affluent foragers.

Distinct cultures of the Upper Paleolithic Distinct cultures of the Upper Paleolithic covering areas of over 38 k sq miles, but in covering areas of over 38 k sq miles, but in the Holocene reduced to 6 k sq miles and the Holocene reduced to 6 k sq miles and many different zones and territories.many different zones and territories.

European Mesolithic ended around 8,000 European Mesolithic ended around 8,000 B.P. with the spread of agriculture.B.P. with the spread of agriculture.

Discovery of a Mesolithic burial at Discovery of a Mesolithic burial at Mezzocorona, Trento, ItalyMezzocorona, Trento, Italy

The modern town of Mezzocorona is located north of Trento, in the Adige valley, by the northern margin of the Rotaliana plain, a fertile alluvial fan at the confluence of the Noce stream and the river Adige.

http://web.unife.it/progetti/notes/emezzoc.htm

Mezzocorona burialMezzocorona burial The burial was formed by a shallow The burial was formed by a shallow

grave, oriented east-west; the grave, oriented east-west; the eastern and western walls were eastern and western walls were slightly inclined, whereas the slightly inclined, whereas the northern and southern ones were northern and southern ones were almost vertical. almost vertical.

The northern side of the grave is The northern side of the grave is bordered by the cliff wall face and bordered by the cliff wall face and the southern side by one fallen large the southern side by one fallen large rock. The deepest part of the grave rock. The deepest part of the grave is in the middle. On the west, the is in the middle. On the west, the grave cut into an occupational level grave cut into an occupational level rich in artifacts (flint, bones, rich in artifacts (flint, bones, charcoal) and on the east, into a charcoal) and on the east, into a gravel deposit. gravel deposit.

The burial was covered by more The burial was covered by more than forty stones of different sizes; than forty stones of different sizes; they were assembled directly over they were assembled directly over the body (particularly its upper the body (particularly its upper part) and arranged to form a small part) and arranged to form a small tumulus. On some of them, there tumulus. On some of them, there were traces of red ochre.were traces of red ochre.http://web.unife.it/progetti/notes/emezzoc.htm

Inside the grave, a skeleton, Inside the grave, a skeleton, probably of a female aged probably of a female aged over 30 years, lied in a over 30 years, lied in a supine position. She was supine position. She was oriented east-west, with her oriented east-west, with her face looking south, her face looking south, her hands on the stomach and hands on the stomach and her feet slightly on top of her feet slightly on top of one another. Both here head one another. Both here head and feet were positioned and feet were positioned above her pelvic girdle. No above her pelvic girdle. No grave goods were present.grave goods were present.

A preliminary analysis of A preliminary analysis of the skeleton, which was the skeleton, which was well preserved, showed that well preserved, showed that she had lost her molar teeth she had lost her molar teeth from some time as the roots from some time as the roots had filled in naturally.had filled in naturally.

Mezzocorona burialMezzocorona burial


Mesolithic people at Mesolithic people at MezzocoronaMezzocorona

The occupation layers are rich in tools, microliths, The occupation layers are rich in tools, microliths, cores, shatters and flaking products. cores, shatters and flaking products. Among tools, endscrapers, either made from blades, or Among tools, endscrapers, either made from blades, or

ogee-shaped, shoulder shape and nosed flakes are present. ogee-shaped, shoulder shape and nosed flakes are present. The endscrapers obtained from flakes are short and very The endscrapers obtained from flakes are short and very

short. In addition to the above-mentioned lithics there short. In addition to the above-mentioned lithics there were found denticulated flakes and blades, and notched were found denticulated flakes and blades, and notched flakes. flakes.

The burins that were present in the assemblage were The burins that were present in the assemblage were characterized by their robustness. characterized by their robustness.

Furthermore triangles are well represented in the Furthermore triangles are well represented in the microlith assemblage and especially the long microlith assemblage and especially the long scalene type which have a narrow base and which scalene type which have a narrow base and which are retouched on three sides. are retouched on three sides. The double-backed points are generally long. The double-backed points are generally long.


NW Europe & ScandinaviaNW Europe & Scandinavia

Maglemose Period (9500-7700 B.P.)Maglemose Period (9500-7700 B.P.) Seasonal exploitation of rivers, lakes and Seasonal exploitation of rivers, lakes and

terrestrial hunting. terrestrial hunting. Inland spring and summer settlements are Inland spring and summer settlements are

represented by the Ulkestrup site in Denmark.represented by the Ulkestrup site in Denmark. People lived in large huts with bark and wood People lived in large huts with bark and wood

floors on a peat island near a lake.floors on a peat island near a lake. Used canoes, one paddle was found preserved.Used canoes, one paddle was found preserved. people fished with bone and antler barbed points, people fished with bone and antler barbed points,

trapped birds and hunted red deer, wild ox and trapped birds and hunted red deer, wild ox and pig.pig.

In fall bands foraged for hazelnuts and other In fall bands foraged for hazelnuts and other plants, elk and other game were hunted, plants, elk and other game were hunted, fishing less important.fishing less important.

Starr CarrStarr Carr Starr Carr in Yorkshire was a typical Mesolithic site in Starr Carr in Yorkshire was a typical Mesolithic site in

England. England. Around 9,500BP about 20 individuals inhabited the site.Around 9,500BP about 20 individuals inhabited the site. They used stone axes and adzes to fell trees, and made a They used stone axes and adzes to fell trees, and made a

variety of barbed bone and antler spear points.variety of barbed bone and antler spear points. Hunting was the main activity, with red deer, elk, aurochs, Hunting was the main activity, with red deer, elk, aurochs,

and roe deer being the main prey. and roe deer being the main prey. Hunters used long wooden arrows tipped with small flint blades Hunters used long wooden arrows tipped with small flint blades

that were set in the shaft with tree resin. that were set in the shaft with tree resin. Dogs assisted in hunting. Dogs assisted in hunting. Hazelnuts were collected in the autumn and perhaps stored. Hazelnuts were collected in the autumn and perhaps stored.

Initial analysis by Clarke suggested winter, short time Initial analysis by Clarke suggested winter, short time occupation.occupation.

Later analyses by Mellars and Dark showed:Later analyses by Mellars and Dark showed: Late spring/early summer occupationLate spring/early summer occupation Purposeful burning of grasses/reed areas around site (land Purposeful burning of grasses/reed areas around site (land

clearing).clearing).

Star Carr LocationStar Carr Location

Star Carr ExcavationsStar Carr Excavations

http://portfolio.indy-net.co.uk/mesobrit/starcarr.html

Star Carr ArtifactsStar Carr Artifacts

Bone “Pins”

Burins

Red deer antler head-dress Early Mesolithic, about 9,500 years old From Star Carr,

http://portfolio.indy-net.co.uk/mesobrit/starcarr.html

Oronsay Island sitesOronsay Island sites Six Mesolithic shell middens on Oronsay Six Mesolithic shell middens on Oronsay

were discovered in Scotland. were discovered in Scotland. Studies of these sites in the 1970s provided Studies of these sites in the 1970s provided

radiocarbon dates of 6,300 - 4,300 years BP, radiocarbon dates of 6,300 - 4,300 years BP, placing them in the late Mesolithic period. placing them in the late Mesolithic period.

The material found within the middens The material found within the middens showed that fish was extremely important in showed that fish was extremely important in the diet of the communities on Oronsay. the diet of the communities on Oronsay.

Around 90% of the fish bones found on the Around 90% of the fish bones found on the island were those of the saithe or coalfish. island were those of the saithe or coalfish. This suggests the occurrence of marine This suggests the occurrence of marine fishing, although neither nets or fishhooks fishing, although neither nets or fishhooks have been found.have been found.

http://portfolio.indy-net.co.uk/mesobrit/oronsay.html

Area of Oronsay sitesArea of Oronsay sites


Shell Midden at OronsayShell Midden at Oronsay


ScandinaviaScandinavia

Kongemose Period (7700-6600 B.P.)Kongemose Period (7700-6600 B.P.) Baltic sea coast sites, along bays and near Baltic sea coast sites, along bays and near

lagoons, exploitation of marine and lagoons, exploitation of marine and terrestrial resources.terrestrial resources.

Segebro settlement (larger than earlier Segebro settlement (larger than earlier ones) which is now submerged in brackish ones) which is now submerged in brackish water.water.

occupied year round, but mainly in spring and occupied year round, but mainly in spring and summer.summer.

carbon isotope analysis of human bone show carbon isotope analysis of human bone show that fish and sea mammals were major diet.that fish and sea mammals were major diet.

ScandinaviaScandinavia Ertebolle Period (6600-5200 B.P.)Ertebolle Period (6600-5200 B.P.)

Culmination of Mesolithic culture, occupying Culmination of Mesolithic culture, occupying coastal settlements year round, wide range of coastal settlements year round, wide range of food resources, wide variety of tools.food resources, wide variety of tools.

Greater social complexity, such as cemetaries Greater social complexity, such as cemetaries and more diverse technology.and more diverse technology.

Vedbok Bogebakken cemetary had at least Vedbok Bogebakken cemetary had at least 22 people of different ages buried.22 people of different ages buried. extended positions.extended positions. grave goods.grave goods. some showing evidence of violent death, such some showing evidence of violent death, such

as projectile points embedded in bone.as projectile points embedded in bone.

Southwest Asia Southwest Asia (Mediterranean and Middle (Mediterranean and Middle

East)East) Transition to more complex hunter-Transition to more complex hunter-

gatherers (14-12,000 B.P.).gatherers (14-12,000 B.P.). Small and highly mobile hunter-gatherer Small and highly mobile hunter-gatherer

bands, found in a wide variety of bands, found in a wide variety of environments, variation in tool kits.environments, variation in tool kits. 11,000 B.P. significant environmental and 11,000 B.P. significant environmental and

vegetational changes.vegetational changes. more concentrated stands of wild cereal more concentrated stands of wild cereal

grains (emmer wheat, barley, etc.) and nuts grains (emmer wheat, barley, etc.) and nuts (almonds and pistachios).(almonds and pistachios).

harvestable over longer periods of time, less harvestable over longer periods of time, less temperature sensitive.temperature sensitive.

Franchthi Cave, Greece Franchthi Cave, Greece Characterized by two new developments: Characterized by two new developments:

(1) the appearance of large quantities of fish (1) the appearance of large quantities of fish bones, particularly those of large fish; bones, particularly those of large fish;

(2) the appearance of substantially larger (2) the appearance of substantially larger quantities of obsidian from Melos as a material quantities of obsidian from Melos as a material in the local chipped stone industry. in the local chipped stone industry.

These two developments were initially These two developments were initially considered to be closely related and to considered to be closely related and to show that the inhabitants of Franchthi show that the inhabitants of Franchthi Cave not only sailed to Melos (150 kms. Cave not only sailed to Melos (150 kms. away) for obsidian but also fished in deep away) for obsidian but also fished in deep water for the first time. water for the first time.

There is still no pottery or architecture.There is still no pottery or architecture.

Burial at FranchthiBurial at Franchthi

The earliest burial found at The earliest burial found at Franchthi is of Mesolithic date: Franchthi is of Mesolithic date: a 25-year-old male buried in a a 25-year-old male buried in a

contracted position in a shallow pit near contracted position in a shallow pit near the mouth of the cave. the mouth of the cave.

The pit was covered with fist-sized The pit was covered with fist-sized stones; there were no burial goods; the stones; there were no burial goods; the young man had died from blows to the young man had died from blows to the forehead, but he seems to have already forehead, but he seems to have already been suffering severely from malaria. been suffering severely from malaria.

SW AsiaSW Asia

13-10,000 B.P. Kebaran cultures.13-10,000 B.P. Kebaran cultures. By 10,000 B.P. people began to more By 10,000 B.P. people began to more

intensively exploit these plant intensively exploit these plant resources called the Natufians.resources called the Natufians. exploited wild emmer and barley, nuts, exploited wild emmer and barley, nuts,

gazelle hunting also important.gazelle hunting also important. larger populations, more sedentary larger populations, more sedentary

hamlets, clear signs of social ranking .hamlets, clear signs of social ranking .

Important sitesImportant sites

JerichoJericho Three separate settlements have existed Three separate settlements have existed

at or near the current location for more at or near the current location for more than 11,000 years. than 11,000 years.

The position is on an east-west route The position is on an east-west route north of the Dead Sea.north of the Dead Sea.

Wild plants and animals (especially Wild plants and animals (especially gazelles). gazelles).

Later becomes one of the first areas of Later becomes one of the first areas of plant domestication.plant domestication.

Excavations at Jericho

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/PDF/220/220%20Jaricho.pdf

Clay modeled on human skull, Jericho ca. 9,000 BP

http://www.angelo.edu/faculty/rprestia/1301/list_of_illustrations1.htm

Ain MallahaAin Mallaha

The size of the settlement totaled The size of the settlement totaled about 2,000 square meters. about 2,000 square meters.

The houses of the settlers were The houses of the settlers were between 7 and 9 meters in diameter between 7 and 9 meters in diameter and were very well built which and were very well built which suggests that they were permanent suggests that they were permanent houses. houses. The inside floor of the house was about The inside floor of the house was about

4 feet below the ground outside.4 feet below the ground outside.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/eyna/hd_eyna.htm

Catal Hoyuk, TurkeyCatal Hoyuk, Turkey

Settlement in southern Anatolia, Settlement in southern Anatolia, dating from around 7500 B.C.E. for dating from around 7500 B.C.E. for the lowest layers.the lowest layers.

Multiple murals and figurines are Multiple murals and figurines are found throughout the settlement, on found throughout the settlement, on interior and exterior walls. interior and exterior walls.

Also, clay figurines of women have Also, clay figurines of women have been found in the upper levels of the been found in the upper levels of the site. site.

Catal Hoyuk ExcavationsCatal Hoyuk Excavations

http://www.catalhoyuk.com/

Interior of House with Interior of House with two Lionesses facing two Lionesses facing

each othereach other


Auroch heads on walls in Auroch heads on walls in houseshouses


Deity seated on a throne Deity seated on a throne flanked by two lionessesflanked by two lionesses


Catal Hoyuk Catal Hoyuk ReconstructionReconstruction


Interior of House Interior of House ReconstructionReconstruction


Download - Mesolithic Pleistocene/Holocene Transition Hunter-Gatherer Complexity Mesolithic in Europe, Scandanavia, SW Asia, East Asia

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