Latest news with #YoungerDryas
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found 11,500-Year-Old Tools That Reveal an Incredible Human Adventure
Researchers discovered tools dating as far back as 11,500 years. The tools could be evidence of the earliest human settlement in Scotland. Nomads likely crossed into the Isle of Skye via Doggerland—an area that is now covered by the North Sea. Humans love convenience, and that's a love as old as time (well, maybe that's a stretch). The oldest tools discovered thus far date back to our early ancestors, around 2.6 million years ago. While these tools were rudimentary (often unaltered sticks and rocks found on the ground), they played a key part in the broader story of human evolution. Not only were they helpful to the early humans who used them back then, but early tools like these also serve as valuable clues for scientists today. Case in point, a research team just found tools on the Isle of Skye which shed light on Scotland's oldest inhabitants. Researchers dated these new-found Scottish tools back to between 11,500 and 11,000 years ago, during what is called the Late Upper Paleolithic. The 'Upper' part of the Paleolithic Period is a subdivision marked by the development of more advanced tools. The discoveries mean the west coast of Scotland now represents the largest concentration of evidence proving the early presence of people in the area, according to a press release. The team consisted of researchers from universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Leeds Beckett, and Flinders in Australia. Together, they worked to reconstruct the landscape and changing sea levels of the time. They determined that nomads likely crossed into Skye when much of western Scotland was buried under ice after the Younger Dryas—a sudden cooling period that froze much of the Northern Hemisphere. Researchers theorize that the pioneers crossed via Doggerland, which is now covered by the North Sea. According to Karen Hardy, leader of the team, the nomads' journey to the Isle of Skye was the 'ultimate adventure story.' She explained in the release that as they followed animal herds northward and entered Scotland, the landscape changed to one that was icy and treacherous. 'A good example of the volatility they would have encountered can be found in Glen Roy,' Hardy said in the press release, 'where the world-famous Parallel Roads provide physical testament to the huge landscape changes and cataclysmic floods that they would have encountered, as they travelled across Scotland.' Once in Scotland, the pioneers had to adapt to live among the melting glaciers, oceans, and mountains—conditions that were shockingly different from their former homelands in the northwestern Great European Plains. Hardy believes the settlers strategically chose where to base themselves to best access coastal and riverine resources. They also began to value ochre—a pigment that was important to ancient cultures. Although the exact terrains the nomads crossed can no longer be visited, they can be imagined at places like Sconcer, a township on the same island where the tools were discovered. Needless to say, these findings were crucial in advancing knowledge of ancient Scotland. 'This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known, of north-west Scotland,' Hardy said. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Daily Record
29-04-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
Evidence of Scotland's earliest human populations found on Skye
Proof of one of the earliest human settlements in Scotland has been discovered. Tools and stone circles were among the discoveries made in one of the country's most iconic locations. Archaeologists and researchers made the discoveries on the Isle of Skye . The team was headed by Karen Hardy, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow. The stone tools discovered have been dated to a period known as the Late Upper Palaeolithic era. This puts them at around between 11,000 and 11,500 years of age . The wider implications of the discoveries have been examined in detail. Highly detailed maps of local glacier formations were used to investigate an unusual group of stone circular structures that appear to lie underneath modern sea level. These sites were found by Professor Hardy and local archaeologist Martin Wildgoose. Their pair's discovery means that the west coast now features the biggest concentration of evidence for these pioneer human populations anywhere in Scotland, as well as revealing that early humans ventured significantly further north than previously thought. Professor Karen Hardy commented: "This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known, of north-west Scotland." The team included representatives from the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Leeds Beckett, and Flinders in Australia. Together, they worked together to reconstruct the local landscape and changing sea levels. This period immediately followed the Younger Dryas—also known as the Loch Lomond Stadial. Much of west Scotland was buried under ice, with groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers most likely of the Ahrensburgian culture from northern Europe, crossed Doggerland—an area that is now covered by the North Sea—and established themselves on Skye. Back then, the landscape of Scotland would have looked very different to today. Professor Hardy added: "The journey made by these pioneering people who left their lowland territories in mainland Europe to travel northwards into the unknown, is the ultimate adventure story. "As they journeyed northwards, most likely following animal herds, they eventually reached Scotland, where the western landscape was dramatically changing as glaciers melted and the land rebounded as it recovered from the weight of the ice. "A good example of the volatility they would have encountered can be found in Glen Roy, where the world-famous Parallel Roads provide physical testament to the huge landscape changes and cataclysmic floods that they would have encountered, as they travelled across Scotland." Upon reaching Skye, the early people created tools from stone they found locally. According to Professor Hardy, the settlers purposefully and strategically decided where to base themselves as they chose a location that had good access to coastal and riverine resources—as well as natural materials such as ochre that were highly valued by ancient cultures. The discoveries have been announced in a paper published in The Journal of Quaternary Science. The paper is titled 'At the far end of everything: A likely Ahrensburgian presence in the far north of the Isle of Skye, Scotland'. The paper concludes by stating: "While the number of Ahrensburgian findspots is low, they are spread widely across Scotland, including from the islands of Tiree, Orkney, and Islay, that also imply significant sea journeys, suggesting a larger population than the number of finds might imply. "To date, all Late Upper Palaeolithic sites in Scotland have been discovered by chance, and there is insufficient evidence to address further questions regarding their adaptations and lifestyles. "By reconstructing the geographical limitations imposed by ice sheet evolution, changes in Relative Sea Level and river courses, it may be possible to focus on other likely locations—both onshore and offshore—and begin to uncover more evidence." The paper continues: "Recovering evidence for a LUP presence in Scotland presents challenges unmatched in continental Europe. However, despite being distant from its central area, the evidence from Skye reflects an Ahrensburgian presence at the extreme north- west continental limit, extending their distribution. "The people who made these artefacts originated in the mainland of northwest Europe, crossed Doggerland into what is now Britain, and eventually reached the far north of the Isle of Skye. "Here, they adapted to live in a fragmented, fluctuating, and volatile environment amid melting glaciers, mountains, and oceans – vastly different from the low-lying environments of their homelands on the northwestern edge of the Great European Plain." The sites themselves cannot be visited. However, the landscape these early pioneers encountered can be imagined at Sconser. Approximately 11,000 years ago, following the melting of the last of the Cuillin Mountain glaciers, the sea level would still be lower than today. It would have even been possible to walk to the island of Raasay.
STV News
28-04-2025
- Science
- STV News
Tools from earliest human populations discovered at ancient Scottish settlement
Tools used by the earliest human populations have been found at an ancient Scottish settlement in the Isle of Skye. A team of archaeologists and scientists led by Karen Hardy, professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, discovered stone tools from the Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) period, around 11,500 years ago. This discovery means the west coast now represents the largest concentration of evidence for these pioneer human populations anywhere in Scotland and reveals how early humans of this period ventured much further north than previously believed. The wider context of these finds has been analysed in detail, with respect to highly detailed maps of local glacier formation and an enigmatic group of stone circular structures which appears to lie below modern sea level. Jamie Booth Sconser, circular alignment. Professor Karen Hardy, who discovered the sites alongside local archaeologist, Martin Wildgoose, said: 'This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known, of north-west Scotland.' The Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) period came immediately after the Younger Dryas (also known as the Loch Lomond Stadial) when much of west Scotland was buried under ice. The team from the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Leeds Beckett and Flinders in Australia, determined that groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers most likely of the Ahrensburgian culture from northern Europe, crossed Doggerland, an area that is now covered by the North Sea, and established themselves on Skye. Once they reached Skye, these early people crafted tools from stone found locally. Karen Hardy Professor Karen Hardy. Professor Hardy added that the journey made by this population of 'pioneering people' is the ultimate adventure story. 'As they journeyed northwards, most likely following animal herds, they eventually reached Scotland, where the western landscape was dramatically changing as glaciers melted and the land rebounded as it recovered from the weight of the ice,' she said. 'A good example of the volatility they would have encountered can be found in Glen Roy, where the world-famous Parallel Roads provide physical testament to the huge landscape changes and cataclysmic floods that they would have encountered, as they travelled across Scotland.' Professor Hardy believes the settlers deliberately and strategically chose where to base themselves as they selected a location that had good access to coastal and riverine resources, as well as natural materials like ochre that was highly valued by ancient cultures. Although the sites themselves cannot be visited, the landscape these early pioneers encountered can be imagined at Sconser. Around 11,000 years ago, after the last of the Cuillin Mountain glaciers had melted, the sea level would still be lower than today, and it would have been possible to walk to Raasay. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Evidence of one of Scotland's earliest human populations uncovered
The stones have been dated to a period known as the Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) from around 11,500 to 11,000 years ago. The wider context of them is yet to be analysed in detail, but were found in sites discovered by Karen Hardy, professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the university and local archaeologist Martin Wildgoose. Their discovery means the west coast now represents the largest concentration of evidence for these early human populations anywhere in Scotland and show how they ventured much further north than previously believed. The discoveries have been announced in a paper entitled 'At the far end of everything: A likely Ahrensburgian presence in the far north of the Isle of Skye, Scotland'. Professor Karen Hardy said: 'This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known, of north-west Scotland.' The team included people from the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Leeds Beckett and Flinders in Australia and they worked together to reconstruct the local landscape and changing sea levels. The period is immediately after the Younger Dryas, also known as the Loch Lomond Stadial, when much of the west of Scotland was buried under ice. Groups of nomadic hunter-gathers who were most likely of the Ahrensburgian culture and from Northern Europe, crossed an area now covered by the North Sea known as Doggerland and established themselves on Skye. Professor Hardy added: 'The journey made by these pioneering people who left their lowland territories in mainland Europe to travel northwards into the unknown, is the ultimate adventure story. 'As they journeyed northwards, most likely following animal herds, they eventually reached Scotland, where the western landscape was dramatically changing as glaciers melted and the land rebounded as it recovered from the weight of the ice. 'A good example of the volatility they would have encountered can be found in Glen Roy, where the world-famous Parallel Roads provide physical testament to the huge landscape changes and cataclysmic floods that they would have encountered, as they travelled across Scotland.' Read More When they reached Skye, it is believed they crafted tools from stone found locally and deliberately and strategically chose where to base themselves to have good access to coastal and riverine resources as well as natural materials like Ochre which was highly valued. The paper concludes by saying: 'While the number of Ahrensburgian findspots is low, they are spread widely across Scotland, including from the islands of Tiree, Orkney and Islay, that also imply significant sea journeys, suggesting a larger population than the number of finds might imply. 'To date, all Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) sites in Scotland have been discovered by chance, and there is insufficient evidence to address further questions regarding their adaptations and lifestyles. 'By reconstructing the geographical limitations imposed by ice sheet evolution, changes in Relative Sea Level (RSL) and river courses, it may be possible to focus on other likely locations – both onshore and offshore – and begin to uncover more evidence.' The paper adds: 'Recovering evidence for a LUP presence in Scotland presents challenges unmatched in continental Europe. However, despite being distant from its central area, the evidence from Skye reflects an Ahrensburgian presence at the extreme north- west continental limit, extending their distribution. 'The people who made these artefacts originated in the mainland of northwest Europe, crossed Doggerland into what is now Britain, and eventually reached the far north of the Isle of Skye. Here, they adapted to live in a fragmented, fluctuating, and volatile environment amid melting glaciers, mountains, and oceans – vastly different from the low-lying environments of their homelands on the northwestern edge of the Great European Plain.'
