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Maglemosian culture
Geographical rangeEurope
PeriodMesolithic Europe
Datesc. 9000 – c. 6000 BC
Preceded byAhrensburgian
Fosna–Hensbacka culture
Swiderian culture
Followed byKongemose culture
The Mesolithic
↑ Upper Paleolithic
Mesolithic cultures
Mesolithic Europe
Fosna–Hensbacka culture
Komsa culture
Maglemosian culture
Iron Gates Mesolithic
Kunda culture
Narva culture
Komornica culture
Swiderian culture
Epipaleolithic Transylvania
Mesolithic Transylvania
Tardenoisian
Schela Cladovei culture
Mesolithic Southeastern Europe

Epipalaeolithic Near East

Levantine corridor
Natufian

Caucasus

Trialetian Mesolithic

Zagros

Zarzian culture
↓ Neolithic

Maglemosian (c. 9000 – c. 6000 BC) is the name given to a culture of the early Mesolithic period in Northern Europe. In Scandinavia, the culture was succeeded by the Kongemose culture.

Environment and location

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The name originates from the Danish archeological site Maglemose, situated near Gørlev and Høng on western Zealand, southwest of lake Tissø. Here the first settlement of the culture was excavated in 1900, by George Sarauw.[1] During the following century a long series of similar settlements were excavated from England to Poland and from Skåne in Sweden to northern France.

When the Maglemosian culture flourished, sea levels were much lower than now and what is now mainland Europe and Scandinavia were linked with Britain. The cultural period overlaps the end of the last ice age,[2] when the ice retreated and the glaciers melted. It was a long process and sea levels in Northern Europe did not reach current levels until almost 6000 BC, by which time they had inundated large territories previously inhabited by Maglemosian people. Therefore, there is hope that the emerging discipline of underwater archaeology may reveal interesting findings related to the Maglemosian culture in the future.

Characteristics

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The Maglemosian people lived in forest and wetland environments, using fishing and hunting tools made from wood, bone, and flint microliths. It appears that they had domesticated the dog.[3] Some may have lived settled lives, but most were nomadic.[citation needed]

Huts made of bark have been preserved, in addition to tools made of flint, bone, and horn. A characteristic feature of the culture is the sharply edged microliths of flintstone, used for spear and arrow heads.[4] Another notable feature is the leister, a characteristic type of fishing spear, used for gigging.

Scandinavian data table

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Era Timespan Climatic period Plantgrowth Mammal game Bird game Locale type
Early Maglemosian culture 9,000 BC – 7,800 BC Preboreal Epoch Birch-pine era aurochs, bison, elk, wild horse crane, lapwing
Middle Maglemosian culture 7,800 BC – 7,000 BC Boreal Epoch Hazel-pine era aurochs, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, lynx, fox, polecat, badger, wildcat merganser, grebe, coot, heron, crane, lapwing Klosterlund
Late Maglemosian culture 7,000 BC – 6,400 BC Atlantic Epoch Later linden era aurochs, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, lynx, fox, polecat, badger, wildcat merganser, grebe, coot, heron, crane, lapwing

Genetics

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This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sarauw, G. F. L. (1903). "En Stenaldersboplads i Maglemose ved Mullerup – sammenholdt med beslægtede fund" [A Stone Age settlement in Maglemose near Mullerup – compared with related finds. Resumé: Études sur le premier âge de la pierre du Nord de l'Europe]. Aarbøger for Nordisk Oldkyndighed og Historie (in Danish). 1903. A German translation appeared in Prähistorische Zeitschrift in 1911
  2. ^ Jessen, Catherine A.; Pedersen, Kristoffer Buck; Christensen, Charlie; Olsen, Jesper; Mortensen, Morten Fischer; Hansen, Keld Møller (2015). "Early Maglemosian culture in the Preboreal landscape: Archaeology and vegetation from the earliest Mesolithic site in Denmark at Lundby Mose, Sjælland". Quaternary International. 378: 73–87. Bibcode:2015QuInt.378...73J. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2014.03.056.
  3. ^ "Stone Age remains are Britain's earliest house". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. ^ Med bue, pil og fiskespyd Gyldendals Open Encyclopedia (in Danish). Pictures of some Maglemosian tools.

Sources

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Danish-language texts

Categories