Peter Groom

Dr Peter Groom has a PhD in Mesolithic Archaeology from the University of Edinburgh. His fieldwork involved the construction of a range of Mesolithic fishing gear and their use on the west coast of Scotland at sites that related to Mesolithic middens. His other research includes- Neanderthal birch bark tar production, construction of skin-on-frame watercraft, manufacture of stone and bone beads, basketry fish traps, plant cordage, and primitive pottery.

He is a director of the Mesolithic Resource Group- www.mesolithic.org.uk and is a freelance Experimental Archaeologist / Primitive Skills teacher and practitioner. Peter is also a lecturer in Countryside and Wildlife Management and as such also has a range of traditional countryside skills.

One of the main reasons for writing these novels was to familiarise people with the Mesolithic period. A time in Prehistory which is often easy to overlook, given the paucity of archaeological remains compared to more recent periods.

These novels seek to add personalities and life to the archaeology that we do have, as well as providing an insight in to what a truly natural British ecosystem might once have looked like.

Many of the scenes and activities in these books come from his own research and teaching experiences, both in the UK and in Finland, where true wilderness still occurs.

The photo's are particularly relevant to much of the content of the third book: Sunset over a vast forest, bear foraging signs (Finland), view over a huge berry bearing bog (Finland), Golden Woman's island at the junction of the Wanderer (Trent) and the Dark River (Tame), looking towards where the Dove joins the Wanderer and the site of the Weir Camp, the author making a fish trap from willow.

Peter lives and works in Staffordshire.