8500-4000 BC Mesolithic

Mesolithic sites in the north of England are found in two contrasting locations: in lowland valleys, and in the uplands of the Pennine Hills and the North York Moors. Lowland occupation is best represented by Star Carr and nearby sites in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire. Star Carr was located on a lake, but many other sites are known from around the same lake edge and from islands on the lake. These sites are smaller and do not contain the same range of objects. Many seem to be activity areas for carrying out specific tasks such as flint knapping, making scraping tools or repairing arrow hafts.

Sites in the uplands are dominated by microliths (modified small stone blades) and have therefore been interpreted as hunting camps. The same groups of people may have used the upland and lowland sites at different times of the year to carry out different activities.