8500-4000 BC Mesolithic

There are many Mesolithic sites in south-east England. The earliest site is at Thatcham in Berkshire, which people occupied several times during the period. They camped on the edge of a flood-plain, with open fen vegetation, fringed by birch, pine and willow trees. Later, this lighter woodland was replaced by denser forests of hazel, oak and elm. The floodplain was criss-crossed with rivers and rich in plants and animals. Deer and pig were commonly hunted and hazelnuts gathered from the surrounding woodland.

It is also in the south that the first evidence of distinct territories is found. Towards the end of the Early Mesolithic new tool types appear which are known as Horsham points. These are only found in certain areas of south-east England, which might reflect a distinct tribal territory.

One of the most prolific Mesolithic sites is Broom Hill in Hampshire, where over 89,000 artefacts have been found. This site dates to the Late Mesolithic and was occupied many times. The camps were located in a clearing of oak, elm and hazel woodland, where the possible remains of a house measuring about five metres across were also discovered.