Defining the meaning of ‘emerging from the last ice age’ is a matter for debate. Frequently it has been assumed that this coincides with start of the Holocene, broadly speaking around 10 to 11 kya, immediately after the Younger Dryas around 12.9 to 11.6 kya. Many of the most interesting aspects of human development appear, however, to have been stimulated by the changes that occurred following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The warming of the Bølling/Allerød (starting 14.5 kya), even allowing for the temporary setback of the Older Dryas at 14.1 kya, had already led to considerable changes. Moreover, even though the Younger Dryas was a dramatic reversal, especially around the North Atlantic, it led to only a limited pause in the rise in sea level (see Fig. 2.10). Nevertheless, in terms of human activities, it may have constituted a much greater challenge. As such it could represent a defining point in human history. Although the Bølling/Allerød probably marks the end of the ice age, the fact that the Younger Dryas is more important in terms of discussing developments around the world means that it is wise to be flexible about constitutes the end of the ice age.

The same flexibility exists in the archaeological record.