Mesolithic

Mesolithic is the archaeological term for the period in many regions of Europe, parts of Asia, and the Near East that follows the Late Pleistocene and precedes the adoption of agriculture and pottery. The name means “middle Stone Age,” reflecting its position between the Paleolithic and Neolithic. Dates vary regionally; in Europe it generally spans from around 12,000 BCE to about 5,000 BCE, with earlier or later beginnings in different areas.

Technologies emphasize small edge-ground stone blades known as microliths, often hafted into composite tools. Bone, antler, and wood were used to make harpoons, hooks, needles, and projectile points. People relied on a broad-spectrum foraging economy, exploiting woodland, coastal, and riverine resources; hunting, fishing, and gathering provided a varied diet. There is evidence of increased mobility and seasonally occupied sites, as well as some longer-term camps.

Settlement and social organization varied by region. In many areas Mesolithic communities were highly mobile hunter-gatherers, while in others there were seasonal aggregations and more substantial camps near rich resources. The period is exemplified by sites like Star Carr in northern England, which shows evidence of durable wooden features and intensive exploitation of animals along waterways.

The Mesolithic ends with the spread of farming and animal domestication—the Neolithic. In some regions, especially along the Levant and parts of Central Asia, transitions toward agriculture occur around 8,000–6,000 BCE, while others adopt farming later. The term is not universal; some areas use Epipaleolithic or other regional designations that reflect local sequences.