The Palaeolithic in Wales
The term ‘Palaeolithic’, meaning Old Stone Age, covers a vast
time span. In northern Europe it stretches from some 800,000 to 12,000 years ago, covering
a startling 98.5% of the time that modern and pre-modern humans are known to have occupied
what we now call Britain. However, it is also the least known period of British archaeology
due to the sparseness of the evidence. Palaeolithic sites in Wales are rare in comparison
to the lowlands and river valleys of south and east England that appear to have been more
favourable for habitation.
The Palaeolithic in Britain has been divided into the Lower (approximately
800,000 – 180,000 years ago), Middle (180,000-40,000 years ago) and Upper (40,000-12,000
years ago). Four Ice Ages are known to have occurred during this period, the last ending
around 12,000 years ago, with interglacials of more temperate conditions between. At the
beginning of the Palaeolithic there was no British Isles as we know today, and wouldn’t
be for thousands of years, as it formed part of one landmass that included Europe, Asia
and Africa.
|