Stone Age artefacts uncovered by archaeologists shed light on a lost world submerged by rising seas.

Archaeologists have recently made groundbreaking discoveries beneath the North Sea, revealing traces of a long-lost prehistoric landscape. Using specialised dredging equipment, they have recovered over 100 flint artefacts, which date back between 15,000 and 8,000 years. These artefacts, including small cutting tools and flint flakes from tool production, were found in three locations off the southern coast of what was once a vast, now-submerged landmass.

The artefacts were located around 20 metres underwater, near the sites of ancient estuaries that existed before the area was overtaken by the sea. These sites, positioned 12 to 15 miles off the Norfolk coast, are expected to yield hundreds more artefacts, providing new insights into the lives of the people who inhabited this lost land. It is believed that the economy of these prehistoric inhabitants was centred on hunting wild boar and red deer, as well as gathering shellfish.

The discovery of these ancient sites is significant, as much of Britain’s early human history has been destroyed by later human activity. Over time, settlements, roads, and agriculture have obliterated much of the prehistoric landscape. In contrast, the North Sea has remained largely undisturbed since it submerged the land between 10,000 and 7,500 years ago. As a result, parts of the Stone Age landscape have remained well-preserved beneath the water.

Professor Vince Gaffney, leader of the North Sea archaeological project and head of the Submerged Landscapes Centre at the University of Bradford, explained that the research offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of Stone Age culture in what is now Britain and surrounding regions. He pointed out that the underwater sites provide a rare glimpse into a time before the rise of agriculture and permanent settlements, when hunter-gatherers roamed the land.

However, the submerged land also tells a sobering story. Over a span of just 1,500 years, from around 8,000 BC to 6,500 BC, the land was gradually swallowed by rising sea levels, caused by a period of intense global warming. In 8,000 BC, roughly 80,000 square miles of land that is now part of the North Sea was dry. By 6,500 BC, only about 5,000 square miles remained. This catastrophic loss of land, at an average rate of 50 square miles per year, forced the Stone Age population to abandon their coastal hunting grounds, which were gradually submerged by the encroaching sea.

The discovery of these artefacts also carries a timely warning for modern society. The dramatic sea-level rise that took place thousands of years ago may provide a preview of what could happen to low-lying coastal regions around the world due to contemporary global warming. As sea levels continue to rise, communities around the globe may face similar threats to those experienced by the prehistoric inhabitants of the North Sea.

The ongoing archaeological investigation is a collaborative project between the University of Bradford and the Flemish Marine Institute of Belgium. It is being conducted in partnership with the North Sea’s wind farm initiatives and Historic England’s Marine Planning Department. The research not only helps us understand the past but also serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on coastal populations.

Professor Gaffney added, “As we explore the past, we are becoming increasingly aware of the potential consequences of future sea-level rise. Our work with the wind farm industry is part of the UK’s broader efforts to combat global warming and reach net zero emissions.”