Based on science

Environmental reconstructions are not just imaginative visuals—they are grounded in detailed archaeological data, including the geological height maps of ancient landscapes, the location and layout of archaeological sites, and the distribution of features such as hearths, postholes, and refuse pits. For example, in the Meuse Valley of Belgium, where the remains of a 10,500-year-old woman were found, researchers used environmental data and site-specific findings to reconstruct not only her appearance but also the world she lived in.

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Artists like Ulco Glimmerveen work alongside archaeologists to visualize these past environments. Their reconstructions are informed by the archaeological remains of structures, such as postholes that suggest the presence of huts or shelters, and by plant remains like seeds, hazelnut shells, and charred wood, which indicate the types of vegetation present and possibly consumed. Hazelnuts, for instance, are often found in large quantities at Mesolithic sites and suggest seasonal gathering activities. Hearths provide evidence of cooking and warmth, while stone tools, bone implements, and even dugout canoes or fishing gear like nets help reconstruct daily life and subsistence strategies.