Discover the ancient Mesolithic settlement of Star Carr in Britain post Ice Age, revealing insights into hunter-gatherer societies and their innovative adaptations. Uncover the significance of well-preserved artifacts like bone tools and wooden timber platforms, challenging misconceptions about communal activities and social hierarchy in early Mesolithic communities. Explore the mysteries of shamanistic artifacts and anticipate future discoveries at this historic site.
Star Carr offers insights into early Mesolithic communities through organic artifacts like wood carvings and antler tools.
Discovery of communal wooden structures challenges assumptions about social complexity in Mesolithic hunter-gatherer societies.
Barbed antler points and red deer artifacts reveal sophisticated hunting practices in Mesolithic Britain at Star Carr.
Deep dives
Insight into Mesolithic Britain Through Star Carr
Star Carr in North Yorkshire provides a unique insight into Mesolithic Britain, particularly the Middle Stone Age. The site, dating back to roughly 9,000 BC, showcases organic Mesolithic artifacts like wood carvings and antler artifacts due to its waterlogged soils. Archaeologists Dr. Nick Overton and Dr. Barry Taylor elaborate on the significance of Star Carr in understanding early Mesolithic communities and their environment.
Presence of Communal Wooden Trackways at Star Carr
Star Carr reveals surprising communal structures during the Mesolithic period with the discovery of significant wooden trackways or platforms. These structures, built roughly 11,000 years ago, demonstrate a high degree of communal effort and planning, challenging preconceptions about the social complexity and capabilities of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer communities.
Abundance of Bone and Antler Artifacts at Star Carr
Star Carr stands out for its rich collection of bone and antler artifacts, notably the barbed antler points and red deer frontlets. These artifacts, crafted from red deer antlers with intricate carvings, provide insights into the hunting practices and tool-making skills of Mesolithic communities at the site. The exceptional abundance and diversity of these artifacts make Star Carr a pivotal archaeological site in understanding prehistoric Britain.
Use of Listers for Fishing and Hunting
Listers with barbs facing each other were utilized to catch fish and potentially hunt large mammals during the Mesolithic period. Additionally, these listers were adapted for bird hunting, where arrows with barbed points could immobilize birds, allowing for easier capture.
Microlithic Technology and Use of Bows and Arrows
Microliths, small flint blades, were crafted and hafted onto arrow shafts for composite projectile points. Evidence of bows and arrows in Mesolithic hunting practices suggests the use of lightweight bows for hunting birds and powerful bows for large mammal hunting. The varied sizes and shapes of microliths indicate potential differences in hunting techniques and individual expressions among Mesolithic communities.
Over 13,000 years ago, Britain emerged from the ravages of the Ice Age as a changed land. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had adapted to cold climates were presented with new opportunities by the retreating glaciers that could transform the way they lived. But what do we actually know about these people? What can the archeology tell us about Britain after the Ice Age?
In this episode of The Ancients Tristan Hughes is joined by archeologists Dr Nick Overton and Dr Barry Taylor to talk about the discovery of Mesolithic artefacts at Star Carr - the site of a prehistoric lake settlement in North Yorkshire - and what they can tell us about how some of Britain’s oldest inhabitants might have lived.
This episode was produced by Joseph Knight and edited by Peter Dennis
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