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Mesolithic Era and the end of the Ice Age 12000-5000BC

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Mesolithic Era and the end of the Ice Age 12000-5000BC

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The most important occurrence during this time was the seperate on of the islands giving us what we recognize as the Europe of today spreading Britain and Ireland from the main body of the continent.
The change in climate allowed for for plants and animals to venture to other areas of Europe allowing settlers more of a chance to be successful at agriculture and build up communities by changing from hunter gatherers to a farming culture.

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Europe_countries_map_en_2.png

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The Francthis Cave offers such a broad spectrum of time frames through each time period. The Paleolithic period evidence from this cave shows the cultures being strictly hunter gatherers. Whereas the Mesolithic period at the same site shows that with changing climates and environment the settlers in this time period advanced their skills and began the transition from strictly hunter gatherers to the start of farming and fishing practices.

Source “Aegean Prehistoric Archaeology” Accessed August 6th 2016 http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/?page_id=107

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Francthi Cave The Neolithic Era 6000 - 3000 BC

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Francthi Cave The Neolithic Era 6000 - 3000 BC

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The dramatic change of attitudes toward farming and agriculture during this time period is staggering. The time begins with the introduction of domesticated animals such as sheep and the introduction of grains like wheat and barley. It also introduced us to some stone tools and grinding tools for the wheat and barley. Although throughout the Francthi Cave there was evidence of buried it was this era that we saw more ceremonial burile sites where the dead were laid to rest with grave goods.

Source “Aegean Prehistoric Archaeology” Accessed August 6th 2016http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/?page_id=107

Image source http://www.dikili-tash.fr/images/imgcontent/data/images1/n7-275.jpg

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The importance here of this site is the introduction of a community Developement in the form of rectangular timber framed houses. These were found in seperate phases and it was estimated that as much as 250 people inhabited this space indicating a more domesticated people. Also of note at this sight was the introduction of clay figurines. Where there were model homes and furniture the main focus was on people and animals. The exact meaning behind the figurines is open to interpretation and may be used for representation of living or dead or even as a signof  respect for the gods.

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.
Image source https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ff/f6/c6/fff6c6c5af3d34ac4c6d8a776728d3ed.jpg

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Community Burial grounds such as the Varna Cemetary was a key indicator of social integration. It allowed for public burials as opposed to burials at home or family specific area only. There was also a social display of wealth in regards to the type and amounts of grave goods placed with any one body. Although a few graves had no surviving goods the abundance of gold and copper adorned on some are speculated to show social standing perhaps with the remains of people of power. This is a wonderful example of how social status and power within the community was respected past the lifespan of the people.

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.

Image source http://www.anistor.gr/english/enback/Varna_gold3.jpg

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Large stone monuments were found in Britain (Stonehenge), Ireland (new grange ) and in Brittany (gavrinis). In newgrange this enclosed tomb or passage grave was a considerably elaborate structure with stones brought in from outside of the Boyne area. The most decorated stone is that of the curb stone at the entrance to the grave.

Apart from the elaborate stone work at new grange there may be another significant meaning. The roof box allows light into the passage on and around the winster solstice which could be a significant step towards astronomy and its understanding as it is said that this signifies the start of the New Year.

Source "Newgrange" Accessed August 5th 2016 http://www.worldheritageireland.ie/bru-na-boinne/built-heritage/newgrange/
Image source http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Pix/pictures/2013/12/19/1387475467600/Winter-solstice-at-Newgra-008.jpg

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The Chalcolithic period pottery shows us the distinct evolution of a material culture. In the early Chalcolithic most pieces were made by hand but towards late Chalcolithic it showed that the pottery was made with a potters wheel a sell as hand made items and that pottery was made in greater quantities perhaps even with the intent to sell or distribute to the community.

Source
Brandt, Roelof W. "The Excavations at Korucutrpe, Turkey, 1968-70: Preliminary Report. part IV: The Chalcolithic Pottery." Journal of Near Eastwrn Studies 32, no. 4 (1973) : 439-44.
http://www.jstor.org.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/stable/pdf/543234.pdf

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The Bronze Age allowed for more social Developement not only with advancement of metal work for material goods such as neckrings or wrist guards but it allowed for the creation of sturdier tools which could penetrate heavier soils and extend their agricultural capabilities.

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.
Image source
http://online.sfsu.edu/infoarts/links/artsciencelecture/nancy.slides/history.art/bronze5.jpg

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The significance of the urnfields is the transition from burial with grave goods to cremation. Ashes collected in pottery urns were grouped together with little if any offerings and no status recognition of the dead. This consistency offers the insight into perhaps a religious sentiment or ritual

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.

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The shocking thing about the celts was their barbaric nature. Bog bodies found preserved saw that the at this point in European history there were repercussions to ones actions. The barbaric end to these people such as garroting or stabbings. Speculations could be made to the nature of the killings wether ceremonious or otherwise but it showed that there was a source of power that you did not want to offend.

Certain languages are also commonly linked to the celts such as Irish and Scots Gaelic which even now bare striking resemblance.

Source: Scarre, Chris.  The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies: Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2013.

Image source http://www.heritagedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Shielf.jpg