The time interval between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic is called the Mesolithic period. It lasted from 15000 BC. e. until 6000 BC e. Its beginning is associated with the end of the ice age. At this time, the megafauna disappeared, so the culture of the European region has changed significantly. In our article, we consider the meaning of the word Mesolithic, as well as the characteristics of this era.
The meaning of the term
Literally translated from ancient Greek "Mesolithic" means "middle" and "stone." In other words, "middle stone." The concept refers to the era between the Neolithic and Paleolithic. For some regions, scientists use a similar term - epipaleolite.
Beginning of the Mesolithic period
As mentioned above, the Mesolithic originates at the end of the ice age. A climate familiar to humans is being established on our planet, and a plant-like and animal world-like world is being formed. In the Mesolithic era, man went far north. This means that he mastered the territory of modern Scotland, the Baltic states and even some parts of the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
An important achievement at this time, scientists consider the invention of arrows and bow, as well as the taming of wild animals. Finally, a man found a faithful and devoted friend - a dog. He used it during the hunt and to protect the home. Finds dating back to this era indicate that the man of that time used composite tools made of silicon. Archaeologists during the excavation found many arrowheads. With the help of onions, people began to hunt not only large and small wild animals, but also birds. The bow was especially revered by an ancient man; he decorated it with animal fangs.
Social life
Mesolithic is an era when social relations are developing. This is manifested in the development of articulate speech, the creation of general rules of conduct, regulations, which acquired the status of traditions and taboos.
Mesolithic - this is the time when various forms of violence associated with violation of the rules of conduct spread. It is then that punishments appear. Violators are forced to various forms of work, sometimes they were waiting for reprisals.
Art
The spiritual world of man of the Mesolithic era has given modern mankind a variety of and amazing art monuments. They are presented in almost the same forms as in the Paleolithic:
- cave paintings;
- applied art;
- small plastic.
Bright paleolithic realism gave way to sketchy graphics. The image of a person takes the form of a sign or symbol. The ornament is getting harder. Ancient people decorate household objects with them, cave plots are added to groups. Traditionally, they are dedicated to hunting or military skirmishes.
One such image contains a whole story about the event, characterized by emotional coloring and dynamism.
Numerous human images are considered to be an innovation in the visual arts during the Mesolithic. It should be noted that in the Paleolithic man was depicted as single figures of hunters.
Mesolithic cave paintings can be found in Spain and North Africa. But not all of them belong to this era.
Mesolithic is a period when a person turns to applied art. It is widely represented by the decoration of hunting objects with ornaments. The main elements and motives are considered to be various lines, strokes, grids and zigzags. The lines covered the handles of various tools, which were made of bones, wood and other materials.
Mesolithic is a time of small plastic surgery. Archaeologists attribute to it engraving pebbles, which is often found during excavations in Western European cave sites. These drawings on stones are ornamental in the form of spots, crosses, stripes, stars and so on. It is believed that such stones were used in magical rites. Perhaps they were considered the receptacle of the soul of an ancient person.
Burial ritual
At this time, there are already individual human funerals that take place near the parking lots. For example, in the Baikal region near the Angara, a pair burial of a mother and an infant was found. The ground pit was lined with stone tiles. The mother’s skeleton was lying on its side and hugging the baby. Before burial, their bodies were stained with ocher. The head of the mother was separated from the skeleton and buried in a separate recess.
Researchers found arrowheads in the woman’s chest and sacral vertebrae. This suggests that a woman with a child died from the invasion of another tribe.
New knowledge
Mesolithic is a time of accumulation of new knowledge about nature. Man continues to evolve. He improves skills that help him survive. The man learned about the characteristics of the food area, about the habits of animals, some properties of plants, as well as natural minerals. An ancient person begins to heal a fellow tribesman from injuries that he received during the hunt. Now, not all abscesses, bites and dislocations are deadly. In addition, Mesolithic is the time of the first surgical operations. Man learned to remove teeth and amputate limbs. During this period, the tactics of hunting change, as the herds of large animals disappear.
Conclusion
Our article has come to an end. Once again we want to emphasize that the Mesolithic are centuries important in the history of mankind. At this time, empty regions were populated, which were freed from ice cover. Different cultural strata begin to interact with each other. At this time, the nature and pace of the formation of various spheres of human activity were very specific. It can be said that in the Mesolithic era, people took a huge step forward in their development.