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The Early Mesolithic Period (10,000-6500BC)

In Hertfordshire most of the evidence from this period is found in the lower Lea and Colne river corridors. These appear to have been particularly favoured areas for settlement. At this time the levels of the sea and rivers were much lower than today. As a result, many of the sites are now buried beneath the deep deposits which were formed as the sea level began to rise from about 8000 BC. Although these buried sites are difficult to locate, the fact that they are buried means that they tend to be well preserved and organic remains such as wood, bone and plants are sometimes found preserved in the deposits. The area around Broxbourne has produced some of the most important early Mesolithic remains in Britain.

Unfortunately, much of the archaeological deposits in the Lea and Colne valleys have been destroyed by development, particularly gravel extraction, and what remains is also under threat. The remaining archaeological resource of the Lea and Colne valleys can therefore be regarded as one of the most critical archaeological assets of Hertfordshire.