We explain what Mesolithic is, its importance and characteristics. In addition, the climatic changes that occurred at this time.
What is the Mesolithic?
The mesolithic was a period of prehistory that understood the transition between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. The three periods formed the stone age.
The Mesolithic word comes from the Greek Meso which means “between” and Lithos which means “stone”, so it refers to the “mean stone age.”
This period is used in the study of those prehistoric societies that developed changes in their organization and showed Transition elements of a predatory economy to a production economy. It can be located between 10,000 and 6000 a. C., but the periodization changes in the study of different cultures.
During the mesolithic, Societies were characterized by the improvement in stone work techniquesin polished and shipyard. In addition, this period date the first vestiges of population settlements and funeral rituals in which social differentiation features can be observed.
See also: Primitive Man
Use of the Mesolithic term
The mesolithic term (which means “average stone”) is used by some archaeologists to refer to An intermediate period between the Paleolithic (“old stone”) and the Neolithic (“new stone”). This introduction to the classical periodization of the “stone age” incorporates the idea that in the production economy of Neolithic societies it was already underway in a preliminary stage.
The mesolithic period It can be observed in prehistoric cultures of Europethe African Sahara, the Indochina Peninsula and in some American cultures. Other specialists prefer to use other specific terms on the culture under study to refer to the same transition process. For example, for American prehistory studies, the name “archaic period” is usually used.
In addition, there were prehistoric cultures that did not promote economic changes that led to food production and, later, sedentary lifestyle. These cultures developed agriculture more late and as a result of contact with other peasant groups. For these societies, the term “epipaleolithic” is used.
Mesolithic characteristics
The Mesolithic period was characterized by:
- The transition. It was a period of transformation between the hunters-gatherers of the Paleolithic stage and the farmers of the Neolithic stage.
- The work of the stone. Innovation in stone work, such as polishing and elaborated carving, also called, Microlito, which consists in the use of a stone of a centimeter carved in an elaborate way so that it has a edge on one of its sides.
- Sedentary life. From this era come the first vestiges of building constructions and population settlements.
- The funeral rites. Also from these societies come the first vestiges of sepulchral trousseau from people who had power or a high social level. The bodies of the deceased were buried with offerings or personal value accessories, which suggests that spiritual ceremonies or rites were practiced.
- The painting. While rock art existed during the Paleolithic, at this stage the human figures emerged, in addition to animals, painted inside the caverns. The scenes show groups of humans practicing hunt or some ritual.
- The utensils. Evidence of ceramic work was found, such as vessels decorated with simple geometric strokes, polished and perforated rocks used as sharp accessories and stones that served as knives.
Mesolithic climatic changes
During the mesolithic The last glacial period occurredwhich corresponds to a geological process characterized by extremely cold temperatures. Gradually, the weather became increasingly tempered, which allowed more variety of animal and plant life forms.
As a consequence of climate change, the human being could settle in certain territories for an indeterminate time without the need to migrate in winter times. In addition to the most suitable climatic conditions for human life, The variety of plant species increasedfirst with the formation of wide steppes and after leafy forests.
Fauna was influenced by migration of various species towards more Nordic areas, due to the best conditions for reproduction and for the greater availability of food through hunting or the variety of plants.
Archaeological evidence of the Mesolithic
There are archaeological evidence of different cultures of the Mesolithic:
- In Africa, material remains of the Ibero-Mauritan cultures (in Morocco), Capsiense (in Tunisia) and Wiltoniense (in South Africa) have been found.
- In Europe, there are findings of the Ahrensburgiense cultures (in Germany), Asturian (in Spain), Aziliense (in France), Balkics (in Serbia), Swideriense (in Poland) and of Scandinavian societies of Konmonasa and Ertebölliense.
- In Asia, evidence of Natoufian cultures (in the Mediterranean Levante region), Jōmon (in Japan), Sarai Nahar (in India) and Yunnan (in China) survived.
Continue with: Neolithic revolution
References
- Fernández Martínez, VM (2007). Prehistory. The long path of humanity. Editorial Alliance.
- Fernández Vega, AM, Cabrera Valdes, V. and Muñoz Amilibia, AM (2008). Prehistory. National University of Distance Education.
- Eiraa, JJ (2000). Notions of general prehistory. Ed. Ariel History.
- “Mesolithic” in Britannica
- “Mesolithic Cultures” in Science Direct
- “The Mesolithic Period” in Lumen Learning
- “Göbekli Tepe” in Diario del Traveler
- “Göbekli Tepe: the secrets of the first human sanctuary” in Infobae
- “Mesolithic Art” in Visual Arts Cork
