The Maglemosian Culture

The Maglemosian culture was Mesolithic culture that existed between around 9000 BCE and 6000 BCE in Northern Europe, during the end of the last Ice Age. At that time, Scandinavia and Britain were landlocked with the rest of Europe. The Maglemosian culture was discovered in 1900, by the archaeologist George Sarauw, at a bog called Maglemosen (at Mullerup), giving the culture its name. Since then, more discoveries have been made across Northern Europe. 

The Maglemosian people lived in temporary settlements during the summer, in huts made of bark. During the winter they had permanent settlements, along the coastline. Human and animals bones, and waste have been found in these settlements. People hunted a number of animals, including auroch, red deer, elk, wild boar, brown bear, fox, wild cat, squirrel, beaver, hare, and different types of bird and fish. During the winter, while they were in their coastline settlements, they hunted seals. In order to hunt and fish, they used harpoons and bow and arrows. They also had boats and had domesticated the dog.

As the Ice Age ended, the weather became warmer and the oceans rose, so much of the area where they lived is now underwater. After 6000 BCE, the Maglemosian period ended, and the Kongemose period began. The Maglemosian culture existed for thousands of years, and archaeologists only discovered their existence recently, so there is still a lot to discover.