The Mesolithic Period
The First Humans and Early Civilizations
While awe-inspiring cave paintings were a hallmark of the Upper Paleolithic Era in Europe, they became uncommon in the Mesolithic Period that followed. Scholars believe that this, along with a number of other changes observed in the transition to the Mesolithic Period, was a reaction to a changing environment, caused by the melting of glaciers at the end of the last glacial period. This title paints a vivid picture of a key period of human history. Descriptions of specific discoveries and sites?such as England?s Starr Carr and India?s Bagor?help readers understand how archaeologists learn about life in the Mesolithic Period.