Summary
At about 16,000 BP the retreating ice had reached the southern shores of the present Baltic. Melt water formed extensive lacustrine systems still visible today in north Russia, Poland and Germany. By 14,600 BP the Baltic ice lake had come into existence. Beyond it only southern Sweden was habitable, and it was an island. It is well known that Scandinavia means "the island of Scandza" or "Scandia", which cannot be accounted for by today's map, and is generally assumed to be an inadvertent misrepresentation by ancient geographers. However, the first Scandinavia was an island, and was identical to southern Sweden.
Several carbon-dated sites in Estonia indicate that human habitation of the shores of the Baltic ice lake began in the Boreal period, in the time window 11,200-10,200 BP. Charcoal, animal bones, and artifacts from Mesolithic temporary settlements have been found at Pulli and in the Lake Ladoga region. The diet included roe deer, red deer, marten, otter, wolf, bear and ringed seal. An open pine-birch forest covered the region. Pollen from Pinus, Betula, Alnus, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae and Artemisia have been found.
Around 10,300 BP, the ice lake discharged through channels that opened in central Sweden (near Mount Billingen) until it reached the ocean level. The Yoldia Sea phase began (10,300-9,500 BP).
Read more about this topic: Baltic Ice Lake
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