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Assessment Questions 8.1
1. When did the Younger Dryas interval occur, and what impact did it have on humans in northwest Europe?
The Younger Dryas interval occurred between 12,900 to 11,600 years ago. It may have been severe enough to cause the temporary abandonment by humans of much of northwest Europe.
2. How did the environment of Holocene Europe differ from that of the Pleistocene, according to T. Douglas Price?
The key characteristic of the environment of Holocene Europe, compared to the Pleistocene, was the vast array of plants and animals available for exploitation.
3. What characterized the Mesolithic period in Europe, and what was its significance?
The Mesolithic was marked by many regional adaptations and an explosion of local cultural diversity. Its significance lies in the extensive reliance on coastal resources, diverse subsistence patterns, and the development of distinct regional cultures.