The Mesolithic period is also known as the Middle Stone Age. In the earlier part of this period the sea level was lower than it is today. Britain was joined to Europe at this time, the English Channel and North Sea were once low lying plains, but as the ice melted they became submerged, and by about 6,000 we became an island. Trees began to appear and over the centuries the land became densely forested with hazel, birch, lime elm and oak (our native trees). Red and roe deer, elk and pig are our animals. The population lived in family groups, moving around, travelling across the land, also utilising the rivers and coastal waters. They survived by hunting and fishing, and collecting nuts, fruits and berries. They probably lived in temporary shelters made from wood and skins. Archaeological finds from this period include fine flint arrowheads and bone needles and fish hooks.

Microliths, typical flint tools of the period, from Kimbles, Buckinghamshire (AN1968.1781)

Examples from mesolithic sites in the British collections include:

3 microliths from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire (AN1953.43)

2 fine microliths from Longworth, Oxfordshire (AN1958.315)

2 microliths from West Runton, Norfolk (AN1958.427)

2 broad microliths from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire (AN1968.1050)