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The landscape was initially tundra but soon became dominated by huge forests, mainly pine in the north and birch, oak and beech in the south.
The Stone Age (11,000 - 1,800 B.C..) in Sweden was made up of a people who were hunter gatherers and fishers in a land of relative plenty, though, as mentioned above, it was a difficult life they lead with a population of between 2,500 in the costal areas to as much as 25,000 throughout the whole country. Many graves from this era have been uncovered by archaeologists consisting of simple stone tombs dated around 3,500 B.C. to more complex structures some 500 years later. There appeared to be three distinct cultures in southern Sweden during this period of time; the Pitted-Ware Culture found in the east, south and west, including the Lake Mälaren region; the Funnel-Cap Culture found in the south and extending as far as eastern Norway and Denmark; and the Axe Culture found throughout much of northern Europe.
The Bronze Age (1,800 - 500 B.C.) in Sweden was believed to have developed from the farming culture of the south. Trade routes from Britain and south-central Europe brought copper and tin alloys which were used in weapon and tool making among others. Amber was perhaps Sweden's most important export during this time, but hides, furs, tar products, and perhaps even slaves were important too. Bronze was used by the rich as a status symbol, as well as gold and other jewellery. The inhabitants of Sweden lived in square houses made of mud & clay but with dried sticks interwoven into it. In the centre of the house would be a pole to which the rest of the house was built around. Again grave mounds found today are common from this era. Many painted picture stones and inscribed stones from this age have been found in southern Sweden with weapons. ships, wheels and people were common themes of these pictures.
The Stone Age (11,000 - 1,800 B.C..) in Sweden was made up of a people who were hunter gatherers and fishers in a land of relative plenty, though, as mentioned above, it was a difficult life they lead with a population of between 2,500 in the costal areas to as much as 25,000 throughout the whole country. Many graves from this era have been uncovered by archaeologists consisting of simple stone tombs dated around 3,500 B.C. to more complex structures some 500 years later. There appeared to be three distinct cultures in southern Sweden during this period of time; the Pitted-Ware Culture found in the east, south and west, including the Lake Mälaren region; the Funnel-Cap Culture found in the south and extending as far as eastern Norway and Denmark; and the Axe Culture found throughout much of northern Europe.
The Bronze Age (1,800 - 500 B.C.) in Sweden was believed to have developed from the farming culture of the south. Trade routes from Britain and south-central Europe brought copper and tin alloys which were used in weapon and tool making among others. Amber was perhaps Sweden's most important export during this time, but hides, furs, tar products, and perhaps even slaves were important too. Bronze was used by the rich as a status symbol, as well as gold and other jewellery. The inhabitants of Sweden lived in square houses made of mud & clay but with dried sticks interwoven into it. In the centre of the house would be a pole to which the rest of the house was built around. Again grave mounds found today are common from this era. Many painted picture stones and inscribed stones from this age have been found in southern Sweden with weapons. ships, wheels and people were common themes of these pictures.
Man has been living in Sweden certainly for the past 11,000 years, perhaps maybe as far back as 400,000 years ago, but it's ancient history is not clear and no dependable records are available to us today. Much has been learnt through archaeological finds which show that ancient Swedes lived short but well adapted lives with apparent skill in the building of houses, boats and in the creation of weapons, utensils, pottery and textiles.