Mesolithic period

E460690

The Mesolithic period is a prehistoric era between the Paleolithic and Neolithic characterized by hunter-gatherer societies using microlithic stone tools and adapting to post-glacial environments.

All labels observed (8)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf archaeological period
prehistoric era
alsoKnownAs Middle Stone Age (in Europe-specific context)
associatedWith Holocene epoch
linked to: Holocene

retreat of Pleistocene glaciers
chronologyVariesByRegion true
culturalDevelopment art and ornamentation
burial practices
regional diversification of tool industries
specialized exploitation of coastal resources
specialized exploitation of riverine resources
differsFrom African Middle Stone Age (chronologically earlier industry)
endApprox circa 5,000 BCE
environmentalContext expansion of coastlines and wetlands
post-glacial forests
rising sea levels
follows Paleolithic period
foundInRegion Arctic regions
East Asia
Europe
Near East
linked to: Western Asia

North Africa
Siberia
South Asia
parts of sub-Saharan Africa
hasCharacteristic hunter-gatherer societies
microlithic stone tools
post-glacial environmental adaptation
hasEconomy fishing
foraging
gathering wild plants
hunting
hasTechnology antler tools
bone tools
bows and arrows
composite tools
fishing gear
ground stone tools
harpoons
microliths
nets
partOf Stone Age
precedes Neolithic period
researchField prehistoric archaeology
showsTrendToward intensification of resource use
seasonal mobility
sedentism
startApprox circa 10,000 BCE
transitionalBetween Paleolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (9)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka hasEvidenceFrom Mesolithic period
Oronsay hasArchaeologicalPeriod Mesolithic
linked to: Mesolithic period
Neolithic Aegean follows Mesolithic Aegean
linked to: Mesolithic period
Abu Hureyra earliestOccupation Epipalaeolithic period
linked to: Mesolithic period
Pre-Pottery Neolithic chronologicallyFollows Epipalaeolithic
linked to: Mesolithic period
Neolithic Europe follows Mesolithic Europe
linked to: Mesolithic period
Melian obsidian usedInPeriod Mesolithic Aegean
linked to: Mesolithic period
Neolithic Ireland follows Mesolithic Ireland
linked to: Mesolithic period
Neolithic Britain follows Mesolithic Britain
linked to: Mesolithic period