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The house discovered at the Star Carr archaeological site in 2010 is a remarkable find, as it is considered the oldest known dwelling in Britain.

Excavations in 1948 and 2008 found a structure at the site, interpreted as a hut.

According to English Heritage, it was probably a seasonal shelter for hunter-gatherers.

Other key discoveries during evacuations included 21 red deer stag skull-caps that may have been used as headdresses, and nearly 200 projectile or harpoon points crafted from red deer antler.

These organic materials were preserved because they were buried in waterlogged peat, a rare occurrence since Mesolithic sites typically only preserve stone tools.

Dating back to around 8500 BCE (11,000 years ago) the artefacts shed light on life during the Mesolithic period, when the people who lived there were hunter-gatherers.

These ancient inhabitants were among the first to arrive in what are now the British Isles, during a time when the land was still physically connected to continental Europe.

The Star Carr house predates the previously known oldest dwelling in Britain, which was discovered at Howick, Northumberland, by at least 500 years.

While the exact form and materials for the walls and roof are unknown, they could have been constructed from hides, thatch, turf, or bark, forming either a conical (teepee-like) or rounded (wigwam-like) shape.

The design and materials may have varied throughout the structure's lifespan.

Evidence also suggests the floor was covered with a layer of moss, reeds, and other soft plant materials.

A sizeable wooden platform was also uncovered near the shore of the former lake, representing the earliest known example of carpentry in Europe, although its exact purpose remains unclear.

Red deer antler frontlet / masks

The 21 antler frontlets discovered are well-preserved enough to reveal details of their construction: two holes were drilled through the skull using a flint tool, and the inside of each skull cap was smoothed.

The antlers on each frontlet were carefully trimmed, likely to reduce weight.

These alterations suggest that the frontlets were intended to be worn as headgear.

The creation of red deer antler frontlets is a subject of intrigue and speculation among archaeologists and historians.

These objects appear to have had both practical and symbolic significance.

One of the primary theories is that these antler masks or frontlets were used in rituals or spiritual practices.

The antlers, as a symbol of power and virility due to their association with male red deer, may have been linked to fertility, hunting magic, or rites designed to ensure successful hunting.

In many ancient cultures, animals and their features, like antlers, were often seen as representations of deities or spirits, and wearing such masks could have been a way of embodying or invoking these spirits during ceremonies.

Wearing the antler frontlets might have also served to elevate the wearer’s status within their community.

These objects could have been worn by individuals during social events, ceremonies, or perhaps even as a form of personal adornment in the context of feasts or other important gatherings.

The use of such items could denote a leader, a skilled hunter, or a person with special spiritual or ritual roles.

The finds from the site are now housed in four institutions: The British Museum, the Yorkshire Museum in York, the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge, and the Scarborough Museum.

Mesolithic people and how they lived

The Mesolithic period in England, which spans from around 10,000 to 5,000 BCE, represents a transitional phase between the last Ice Age and the advent of agriculture.

During this time, the landscape of Britain underwent significant changes, as the ice sheets retreated and the climate warmed.

The environment became more hospitable, leading to the development of new ways of life for the people who inhabited the land.

The Mesolithic people were primarily hunter-gatherers.

They relied on a broad diet, hunting wild animals like deer, wild boar, and smaller mammals, as well as fishing in rivers and coastal waters.

They also gathered plant foods, including nuts, berries, seeds, and roots, from the rich and varied landscapes of forests, grasslands, and wetlands.

The period is often associated with the use of advanced flint tools, which were essential for hunting, fishing, and preparing food.

These tools included microliths, small, finely crafted pieces of flint that were likely used as tips for arrows or spears, as well as scrapers, knives, and other implements for processing animal skins, plants, and wood.

Mesolithic communities were often small and mobile, moving around the landscape in seasonal cycles.

They adapted their movements according to the availability of resources, such as following the migration patterns of animals or the ripening of plant foods.

This mobility meant that the people did not build permanent settlements. Instead, they would have established temporary camps for short periods, often near water sources, where resources were abundant.

As for their dwellings, Mesolithic houses were typically simple and ephemeral.

These structures were not built to last, which is why physical remains of Mesolithic houses are often difficult to find.

The interiors of these shelters would have been functional and sparse, with little to no furniture as we would recognise it today.

The Mesolithic people likely used natural materials such as animal skins or woven grass mats to sleep on.

The fire was central to life in these temporary homes, providing warmth, light, and a place to cook food.

In addition to their shelters, the Mesolithic people of England left behind numerous other signs of their presence.

Tools, weapons, and other artefacts, such as bone and antler objects, have been found in abundance, often near the sites of their temporary camps.

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