Remnants of a prehistoric forest, stumps and tree trunks, appeared at low tide along the 200-meter stretch of coastline near Northumberland. Many believe that this is Doggerland - the Atlantis of Britain. /epochtimes.ru/
As The Daily Mail reported, this forest existed at the end of the Mesolithic. It began to form around 5300 BC. and was covered by the ocean three centuries later. Research has shown that at the time of the ancient forest, the sea level was significantly lower. There mainly grew hazel, alder and oak. Researchers believe that the forest was part of Doggerland, the landmass that connected Britain and Europe in antiquity.
Doggerland: Atlantis of Stone Age Britain
Located in the North Sea, Doggerland was a large land mass, covering an area of approximately 260,000 square kilometers. At the end of the Ice Age, sea levels rose, and Doggerland was rapidly shrinking as a result of storms and severe floods.
Doggerland, as scientists believe, was first inhabited in 10,000 BC, and between 8000 - 6000 BC. BC. catastrophic floods led to its inundation.
The area where Doggerland was located
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The flooded land reveals its secrets
The research is being carried out by a group of archaeologists and volunteers from Archaeological Research Services Ltd, who have previously undertaken several other projects related to Northumberland. The work became possible due to a decrease in the water level. A total of 700 people are involved in the main excavations and they have discovered an Iron Age site dating back to 300 BC. Dr. Clive Waddington of Archaeological Research Services said: “In 5000 BC. sea level rose quickly and flooded the land. Then the sea receded a little, revealing the forest."
Ancient footprints
Waddington said his team found traces of people, adults and children. According to the fingerprint analysis, they were wearing leather shoes. Traces of animals were also found: wild boar, brown bear and red deer.
Doggerland's petrified forests are not among the oldest known forests. The oldest fossilized forest was discovered by scientists at Binghamton University in Gilboa, upstate New York, in 2004. According to an article published in 2012 by William Stein of Binghamton, the fossils date back 370 to 380 million years.
See the ancient forest following the storm
Natalia Klimchak
