Station: [116] Mesolithic Age Habitat

The last glacial period ended in around 9.600 BC with a dramatic rise in temperature. It became permanently warmer, damper and the forests became denser as a result. Mixed oak forests containing oak, elm, linden and ash trees and a thick layer of herbs replaced the more open birch, hazel and pine woods. In turn these became home to wild game such as roe deer, stags, wild boar, aurochs, wood grouse, hares and foxes.

Humans continued to survive as hunter-gatherer up to about 5,500 BC and collected berries, nuts, grass seeds and also ate meat and fish. But he couldn’t move so easily through the thick forests and his view was restricted, which meant that enemies couldn’t be espied as quickly. The wolfhound with its strong senses of hearing and smell was probably man’s faithful companion during this period because it was a perfect hunting and watchdog.