Stone Age Scandinavia: First People in the North (Video)
In the unforgiving realm of Stone Age Scandinavia (10,000-5,000 BC), resilient pioneers, descendants of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, emerged as the first inhabitants. Venturing northward, crossing the Jutland Peninsula, they confronted a formidable environment shaped by retreating ice. Operating in small clans, these resourceful individuals harnessed fire but remained unfamiliar with agriculture. Dense birch forests replaced open plains, signaling the end of woolly mammoths and the rise of giant elk as essential prey. Accompanied by their indispensable companions, domesticated dogs, these early Scandinavians navigated marshy wetlands using primitive boats for hunting.
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Archaeological findings, such as those at Mag Lumos, unveiled a thriving hunter-gatherer culture spanning Doggerland. From 8,700 to 6,500 BC, the "bone age" witnessed a blossoming culture with jewelry, musical instruments, and symbolic artifacts crafted from the great forests' abundant resources. Around 7,000 BC, rising sea levels submerged Doggerland, prompting survivors to adapt as seafaring conquerors. By 5,000 BC, encounters with Central European farmers introduced agriculture, marking the transition to permanent settlements and the onset of the first battles. In the saga of Stone Age Scandinavia, these tenacious pioneers, shaped by survival instincts and cultural evolution, left an indelible mark on a challenging and ever-shifting landscape.
Top image: An illustration depicting a Neanderthal man, providing a glimpse into the fascinating world of Stone Age Scandinavia. Source: Dr_Microbe/Adobe Stock
