Tools of the Mesolithic Era
Among the most significant tools utilized during the Mesolithic era, the following stand out:
Microliths
Microliths are small flake tools crafted from flint, typically measuring about 5 mm in length and 4 mm in thickness. These tools were primarily designed for striking the core to yield desirable results. They consist of very small stone implements meant to be assembled together on a shaft to produce serrated edges. The advent of polished stone tools marked another innovative development observed in certain communities throughout the Mesolithic period.
Other techniques involved the creation of larger blades, and a notable byproduct of this process is the “microburins,” which are remnants left after the blade or flake is struck. These can be utilized as weapons or arrows. Collections of these were often used as cutting edges on various tools, with numerous microliths discovered from the early Mesolithic indicating the strategies deployed for hunting and food procurement.
Stone Arrowheads
Although the artistic embellishments characteristic of the Paleolithic era faded during the Mesolithic, the refined use of local materials, such as flint, demonstrated considerable advancements. Stone arrowheads were crafted and employed by skilled hunters to gather food for their communities.
The game targeted by these arrows varied widely, encompassing small creatures like birds and fish, as well as larger animals such as antelopes and deer. A crucial addition to these arrows was the “barb,” a chiseling end that inflicted deep wounds. The sharp arrowhead would enter first, followed by the barbs designed to widen the incision, thereby increasing blood loss.
Hammerstones
Hammerstones are among the most ancient and rudimentary stone tools. Prehistoric humans utilized these stones to chip other stones into sharp-edged flakes. Additionally, they aided in cracking open nuts and seeds for their contents, dismantling bones, and grinding clay into pigments.
Other Tools
As large numbers of animals became extinct, early humans diversified their diets by inventing additional hunting tools such as nets and hooks. They also employed stone axes for clearing tree trunks that obstructed their movement. Evidence of canoes and sleds suggests various daily activities, while animal bones were repurposed to extract tubers. The awl was instrumental in processing and crafting skins, along with scrapers used for softening and smoothing them.
Insights into Mesolithic Tools
The earliest known set of stone tools is referred to as the “Oldowan” toolkit, discovered by archaeologists and estimated to be about 2.6 million years old. Most of these tool creators were right-handed, leading experts to theorize that the use of both hands was developed quite early in human history.
Tools from the Mesolithic era were not limited to stone; raw materials such as bone, ivory, and antler were also utilized, especially in the later stages of this period, indicating a significant increase in innovation. This era’s tools included harpoons, bone needles, and flutes made of bone for musical purposes, in addition to stone flakes used for wood carving.
Understanding the Mesolithic Era
The Mesolithic era, often referred to as the “Middle Stone Age,” is recognized as a cultural phase that bridged the Old Stone Age, known for its crude stone tools, and the New Stone Age, characterized by polished stone artifacts.
This period is frequently referenced to describe archaeological groups located in the eastern hemisphere, resembling the ancient cultures prevalent in the western hemisphere. Materials from this era display a greater level of innovation and variety compared to those found in the Paleolithic age.
The Mesolithic period, spanning from the end of the Ice Age to the advent of agriculture, witnesses humans adapting to various environments amidst fluctuating temperatures and climatic conditions. While agriculture had not yet reached Northern Europe, it was just beginning to emerge in the Near East around 9,000 B.C. during the Mesolithic era.