| Abstract [eng] |
The beginning of the Early Holocene in northern Europe was marked by the rapid warming of the climate, which allowed the formation of broad-leaved forests, and the region was inhabited by wildlife that cherished these environmental conditions. From an archaeological point of view, this period is referred to as the Mesolithic, a period of great change in the way people live. Climate change has particularly affected the livelihood model of Mesolithic communities, with wild game hunting and freshwater fishing. With the change in animal species composition, new hunting gear technology has been applied to their hunting, which has evolved through the process of producing fine flint and other rock products, known as microlithisation. This technology has made it possible to apply small and sharp tools quickly and efficiently, incorporating them into spears and arrows. Mesolithic archaeological material demonstrates the important role of microliths in the model of human livelihood, but the origins and evolution of this technology in the eastern Baltic region are still poorly studied and does not allow evaluation and understanding of changes in Stone Age hunting technology. The doctoral thesis presents the types of microliths found in the contexts of Mesolithic settlements and burials in the eastern Baltic region and their development from the Late Paleolithic to the end of the Mesolithic. The microlithisation process is understood here as much broader factor that encompasses not only the forms of microliths themselves, but also the course and methods of their manufacturing, as well as the evaluation of changes in bone and antler tool technology. The process of microlithisation in the dissertation chapters is analyzed using modern research methods - AMS radiocarbon dating, experimental archaeology and microwear studies. These methods not only enabled to draw important conclusions about the evolution of this technology in the eastern Baltic region during the Mesolithic period, but also to understand and convince their effectiveness in game hunting. |
