Submarine Prehistoric Archaeology of the North Sea

Book excerpt: This fascinating volume on submerged prehistoric landscapes of the North Sea brings together for the first time comparative archaeological evidence from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and the UK. The reports describe a range of submerged sites, and artefacts, occupied or used during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene periods of glacially controlled low sea level when large areas of the north-west European continental shelf were dry land. They show that Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic peoples created settlements on the contemporaneous coastlines at periods of low sea level, and probably in the hinterlands of the central North Sea, sometimes known as Doggerland. The age of most known submerged sites is in the range of 8000-5000 years ago, but older submerged sites have been discovered outside the North Sea region.As well as recording existing findings, the contributions analyse the potential for prehistoric archaeology research on the floor of the North Sea, and plan those subjects most requiring study, The volume also recommends ways to cooperate - across national boundaries and with industry - on future research and protection of prehistoric sites on the sea floor.