The Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in the sandy lowlands of Belgium: new evidence

Abstract

The site of Doel lies beside the Schelde, close to Antwerp. Excavations have uncovered the remains of two prehistoric zones, one from the Final Mesolithic and one from the Neolithic. Preliminary study suggests that current theories of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in northern Belgium require revision.

Dating the introduction of cereal cultivation to the British Isles: early palaeoecological evidence from the Isle of Man

“…Where rapid displacement did not occur, the transition took place as a complex and protracted phase of cultural substitution, with the gradual introduction of new techniques as part of a process of acculturation. Already by 6000 yr BP in northern Europe some late Mesolithic groups had adopted various Neolithic traits including ceramics and domesticated animals (Keeley, 1992), and some changes in flint typology were taking place which suggest the influence of Neolithic culture (Crombé et al, 2002). From earliest contact a package of novel techniques of food production, including cereal growing, spread by cultural diffusion.…”

Landscape potential for the adoption of crop cultivation: Role of local soil properties and groundwater table rise during 6000–5400 BP in Flevoland (central Netherlands)

“…This development occurred in the wetlands of The Netherlands, Belgium and NW Germany (Stapel, 1989;Kampffmeyer, 1991;Raemaekers, 1999;Cromb e et al, 2002). The Swifterbant culture started around 6000 BP as indicated by radiocarbon dates of pottery in local style (Louwe Kooijmans, 2001a,b).…”

Multi-profile fine-resolution palynological and micro-charcoal analyses at Esklets, North York Moors, UK, with special reference to the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition

“…In the latter case, Mesolithic populations might have had time to adapt to changing environmental conditions and encroaching farming settlement, perhaps adopting elements of the incoming Neolithic way of life (Krause-Kyora et al 2013), until their foraging systems were entirely supplanted. In the Scandinavian and Atlantic margins there is evidence that some of the final Mesolithic groups showed changes in lithic technology (Crombé et al 2002), as well as general economy (Hartz et al 2007) that may reflect the influence of contact with approaching Neolithic communities. There are also indications that in some places a degree of co-existence occurred between the two cultures that might have lasted a few centuries (Perrin 2003), with Late Mesolithic groups persisting and perhaps utilising more marginal environmental niches that were not required by the early Neolithic communities.…”

“…Crombé et al 2002). Palaeoecological research may offer supplemental data towards the problem of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Britain, as some of these upland, late variant 'rod' sites of northern England correspond in time to, or are younger than, many dates for the Elm Decline in the adjacent lowlands (Griffiths 2014).…”