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The Mesolithic period, which lasted from around 10,000 to 4,000 years ago, was a challenging time for early humans. Known as the Middle Stone Age, it marked the fading of the last Ice Age, with a harsh and unpredictable climate.
Despite these hardships, recent archaeological findings have revealed remarkable adaptability, including unexpected craftsmanship and building techniques. Mesolithic sites are filled with rare artifacts, unsolved mysteries, and even tales of murder. One of the most compelling discoveries may hold the secret to the origins of Stonehenge.
10. Mysterious Squares
The Cheddar caves in Somerset are a crucial archaeological site, known for significant discoveries including the world’s oldest scientifically dated burial site, dating back between 10,200 and 10,400 years. This collection of remains was uncovered in 1914 at Aveline’s Hole.
When engravings were found in Long Hole Cave in 2005, they initially seemed minor, but to the trained eye, they revealed an unexpected find. The art consisted of three simple, seemingly insignificant squares.
In reality, these geometric shapes were rare. Similar patterns had appeared only twice before in Britain, and the Cheddar carvings also shared similarities with others found across Europe, roughly from the same time period.
These squares, likely created using stone tools, could be as old as 10,000 years, indicating they were made shortly after the last Ice Age. This period is of great interest to scientists due to the significant cultural and environmental changes.
The Cheddar caves were evidently significant to Mesolithic communities. The squares might offer additional insight into the early significance of this place, but first, the meaning of these enigmatic panels must be unlocked.
9. The Face of a Teenager
When a community in Greece buried one of their own, they could never have foreseen that 9,000 years later, people would be able to see what she looked like in her lifetime. Her story remains unknown, but the woman, about 18 years old at the time of her death from an unknown cause, was discovered in the 1990s. Archaeologists named her “Avgi.”
Her discovery was somewhat anticipated. She was buried at Theopetra, an archaeological site with findings spanning from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic periods. In fact, the cave where Avgi was found has yielded artifacts dating back over 45,000 years.
Recently, a team of doctors and professionals from various fields collaborated to reconstruct Avgi’s face. By carefully reconstructing the muscles on a replica of her skull, they used regional genetics to determine features like skin, hair, and eye color.
Once the reconstruction was finished, researchers were able to get a clear look at a Mesolithic teenager. Avgi had an elongated face, a prominent jawline, and closely set eyes. Her dark features were also distinctly Mediterranean.
8. They Ate Caviar
A ceramic bowl revealed that the Mesolithic diet was far from primitive—at least in Germany. Contrary to the common belief that ancient people’s cooking was limited to roasting meat, a 2018 study showed that ancient Germans had a surprisingly refined culinary expertise.
The bowl was tested for proteins, and the findings were reminiscent of a high-end restaurant—poached caviar. Further analysis of the residue revealed the meal: a 6,000-year-old dish of fresh carp roe cooked with herbs. Traces of fish stock indicated that the roe was prepared in a broth made from boiled fish.
A crust-like material was also discovered. When analyzed under an electron microscope, it was identified as leaves, though the exact type remains uncertain. If these weren’t herbs, researchers believe they may have been used simply as a cover to keep the food warm.
Regardless, this discovery shows that Mesolithic cooks were far from primitive. In fact, their meal preparation may have been nearly as sophisticated as our own today.
7. The Oldest Thames Carpentry
MI6’s headquarters are located along the River Thames in south London. In 2011, the building’s security team responded to a report of a group possibly armed with rocket launchers outside the premises. To their surprise, they found archaeologists, not criminals, excitedly setting up tripods.
While working in the river’s silt, the researchers uncovered the oldest known wooden structure from the Thames. Not only was the structure’s age remarkable, but it also presented a mystery for the archaeologists to solve.
The trees were felled between 4790 and 4490 BC, a time when the area, once flooded with silt, was likely dry land. The large timbers suggest the presence of a permanent structure, which was unusual for a time when people lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers. They were not accustomed to building solid structures.
Unfortunately, the exact purpose of the structure remains unclear. The timbers did not provide enough information to determine its type, though it was likely residential. Researchers speculate that the location may have held special significance, perhaps religious, or it could have been chosen due to the abundance of natural resources, making a permanent settlement viable.
6. The Snake Stones
In 2016, archaeologists in Ukraine excavated an ancient site known as Kamyana Mohyla I, which was filled with sandstone. Among the rocks, two stood out due to their unusual shapes, which were later identified as artificial.
The stones were carved to resemble snake heads. The older one had a yellowish tint and measured 13 centimeters (5 in) by 6.8 centimeters (3 in). Aside from its flat base, the rock was triangular, complete with eyes and a mouth line.
Fortunately, the figurine was discovered near a hearth. By dating the organic material in the fireplace, researchers were able to date the object to 8300–7500 BC. The younger stone head was also found near a fireplace, which dated it to approximately 7400 BC.
The second stone head was flat and round, with a faint neck and two slits for eyes. It was smaller, measuring 8.5 centimeters (3 in) by 5.8 centimeters (2 in).
Interestingly, a fish-shaped stone head was found just a short distance from the site. Although researchers believe the carvings could be ritualistic in nature, there’s also the possibility that the carvers simply passed time by the fire.
5. The Underwater Monolith
In 2015, a project mapped the seafloor around Sicily. To everyone’s surprise, a man-made structure was discovered at a depth of 40 meters (131 ft) at the Pantelleria Vecchia Bank. Although the monolith was broken in two, it still reached 12 meters (39 ft), was made from a single stone, and did not resemble the other rocks in the area.
The structure featured three large holes, all with similar diameters. One of them even passed completely through the rock. If this was a natural formation, the process behind it remains a mystery. The more likely explanation is that this was a human-made artifact, most likely crafted by locals from the Mesolithic era.
One theory proposes that the monolith was used as a coastal lighthouse, with a torch placed in the deepest hole. While the exact time it was created remains unknown, it likely dates back over 9,500 years.
After this period, rising sea levels submerged much of the world’s coastal areas. The event flooded an archipelago between Sicily and Tunisia, where researchers believe the builders originated. It remains unclear how a hunter-gatherer society was able to construct such a sophisticated monolith, requiring advanced building techniques.
4. A Mesolithic Murder
Approximately 50 years ago, a skull and burnt bone fragments were discovered in Poland. The remains, estimated to be 8,000 years old, were found near a river, alongside flint tools that suggested the man was a hunter. Initially, the condition of the bones, especially the shattered skull, led researchers to speculate that the man had fallen victim to cannibals.
However, a 2018 study revealed the true cause of death. The evidence showed that the man had been murdered. During a violent confrontation, a fatal blow had been struck to his forehead. Despite the severity of the injury, he did not die instantly.
Further scans revealed that the fractures were healing, indicating that the man survived for several days after the fatal strike. Given the extent of the recovery, it was clear that his death was prolonged, lasting more than a week, which definitively disproved the cannibalism theory.
The tragic man’s remains are notable for being the only ones with healing bones found in Mesolithic Poland. The era included both burials and cremations. The scorch marks found on the bone alongside the skull may suggest a fiery funeral ritual.
3. Remarkable Climate Survivors
As the last ice age drew to a close, the climate was highly unstable. The first group to repopulate Britain were a Mesolithic people who left behind Star Carr, an invaluable archaeological site. Discovered in the 1940s, it revealed Britain’s oldest house and some of the most ancient carpentry ever uncovered.
A 2018 study uncovered that the elusive villagers were even more extraordinary than previously thought. Previous theories claimed that the dramatic climate shifts around 11,000 years ago acted as a natural culling event for human populations in Northern Britain.
The inhabitants of Star Carr firmly disproved the idea that the climate shifts caused a culling. Their community endured two devastating cold spells around 9,300 and 11,100 years ago. This was not merely a cold season; temperatures dropped sharply and remained low for up to a century.
Researchers had anticipated dire consequences at Star Carr, but instead, the evidence revealed that the people adjusted. Initially slowed by the first winter, they quickly adapted and thrived. They successfully utilized their environment for food, built timber structures, and maintained social stability during these perilous periods.
2. Oldest British Journey
Blick Mead, an ancient campsite near Stonehenge, holds the key to the earliest recorded journey in Britain. Archaeologists discovered a 7,000-year-old dog’s tooth at the site, revealing that the canine had traveled from the Vale of York. By analyzing the enamel, they found the dog and its Mesolithic owner had journeyed about 402 kilometers (250 miles) to reach Blick Mead.
The campsite's obscure history makes this discovery significant. Alongside other previously found artifacts, it is now understood that people consistently traveled to Blick Mead in ancient times. This wasn’t a one-off occurrence—travelers repeatedly made arduous journeys to reach the camp, a trend that spanned almost 4,000 years (7900–4000 BC).
This unique attraction to a particular location is unprecedented in Europe. The camp's popularity might have meant it served as a hub for exchanging information, trading, and even finding marriage partners. While Blick Mead is thought to be linked to Stonehenge’s enigmatic origins, the connection between the two remains unclear.
1. An Eco Home
A surprising discovery near Stonehenge in 2015 revealed a structure that could be considered an eco home by Mesolithic standards, located just 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) away from the iconic monument.
Around 6,000 years ago, a group of hunter-gatherers discovered a fallen giant tree and turned it into something remarkable. They left the base standing as a wall and covered it with flint tiles. The hole left by the tree was filled with cobblestones, while a wooden pole was set up at a distance to support a roof, likely made from grass or animal skin.
Surprisingly, the family had a clever method for staying warm. Large stones were heated in a fireplace (positioned far from the roof) and placed near the sleeping areas to radiate heat. The wooden post, dated to between 4336–4246 BC, might even alter our understanding of Stonehenge’s origins.
Many believe that the Neolithic builders of the monument arrived from the continent to find a deserted land. However, this dwelling suggests that they may have encountered a local Mesolithic community before constructing their iconic site.
