8500-7000 BC Mesolithic

The Mesolithic period began at the end of the last Ice Age about 10,500 years ago. As the climate warmed, new technologies were introduced. Stone tools called microliths were made; small blades were broken and modified into sharp points and barbs. These were lighter than the points and spear-tips that had been made in the Upper Palaeolithic, and were more suitable for mounting onto arrow shafts to use with a bow. The small blades could also be fixed onto handles to make sickles for cutting wild grasses.

With the spread in forests, new methods were found for managing the woodland with occasional clearance to encourage trees such as hazel for their nuts. The melting ice caused higher sea-levels and low-lying areas were submerged. This led to greater competition for food, particularly in coastal areas and probably a greater reliance on fishing and the collection of other seafood.

From 8000 years ago farming began to spread from south-eastern Europe. These new methods of obtaining food took over quickly in some areas of central Europe, but it was not until 6000 years ago that agriculture was commonly practised in the far reaches of the west and north of the continent.