Three Mesolithic Novels – An 8,000-Year-Old Journey
Peter Groom is the author of the Hunter series, a recently published trilogy set in the Mesolithic period.
The novels are grounded in the latest archaeological research and draw upon the author’s extensive experience in ancient technologies. Rich in natural history, bushcraft, and traditional skills, these stories are set around 8,000 years ago in what is now the Northwest Midlands of England and the edge of the Clwydian Range in Wales.
The series follows the lives of hunter-gatherer-fishers as they navigate a changing climate and evolving landscapes, while confronting both internal tensions and external threats. These novels immerse readers in a time when people were a part of nature—not apart from it.
The journey begins with The Hunter, the Dog Men and the House by the Shore. This opening novel follows a lone Mesolithic hunter as he moves through a diverse and shifting landscape—now known as Staffordshire and the Trent Valley. Along his path, he encounters a variety of characters, from traders to killers, and ultimately finds companionship. The backdrop is a wild and untamed Britain, where aurochs, elk, wolves, lynx, and wild boar still roam freely.
The second novel, The Hunter, the Anger and the Green Man, continues the narrative, focusing on the evolving relationship between the Hunter and the Golden Woman. As the environment changes, so too do the challenges they face—both external threats and internal tensions. Emphasising themes of seasonality and spirituality, this novel deepens the reader’s understanding of a time when community, survival, and belief were tightly interwoven with the rhythms of the natural world.
The trilogy concludes with Golden Woman, the Island and the House by the Shore. Drawing upon archaeological evidence and experimental practice, the final novel shifts perspective to follow a Mesolithic woman forging her own path. As she seeks her place in a dynamic and unpredictable environment, the narrative portrays a world rich in wildlife, fluid landscapes, and diverse encounters with other prehistoric communities.
Throughout the series, the author combines storytelling with archaeological accuracy, creating a world that is both engaging and authentic. These are not romanticised tales of primitive life, but nuanced portraits of complex societies navigating climatic, cultural, and personal transformation.
Peter Groom holds a PhD in Mesolithic Archaeology. He is a freelance experimental archaeologist and a primitive skills/bushcraft practitioner, as well as a director of the Mesolithic Resource Group. He lives in Staffordshire.
More information about the books can be found here
