Late Mesolithic Period c 6000 BC

In the Late Mesolithic Period, human activity is already leaving its mark upon the landscape. The area is densely wooded with birch and hazel on the upland fells and oak and lime predominating in the lowland, along with elm and pine. However, a small number of clearances have been made within the forest to create ambush opportunities for the hunting of red deer and wild boar. These can be seen on the tops of the fells and wisps of smoke indicate where new clearances are being undertaken. Evidence of food gathering can be seen in the foreground where a family group are collecting mushrooms and hazelnuts.