Environmental changes after the last deglaciation, southern Lolland, Denmark

The Lolland region has seen a dynamic development since the last deglaciation, from a tundra-like landscape to woodland, back to tundra, and then to woodland, followed by closed forest, then more open forests due to deforestation and finally to cultural steppe. The dominant large mammal fauna shifted from reindeer to elk and aurochs at c. 9500 BCE and then to red deer, roe deer and wild boar after c. 8000 BCE. Seals populated the waters after the sea inundated the region at c. 6000 BCE. The marine transgression of the Syltholm area of southern Lolland began c. 5000 BCE, creating small fjords with a zone of reed beds along the shore. As the sea level continued to rise, the fjord environment developed into a shallow water lagoon within protective sand spits and the reed beds moved progressively inland. Rich vegetation, consisting of water plants developed, along with a rich fauna of invertebrates that provided food for fish. This dynamic environmental history forms the background for the wide-ranging cultural activities of the Syltholm area.