The Outlines of ancient Baltic culture
ENAround the first millennium, the climate of Lithuania was slightly more humid than it is today, while the dominant element of the landscape was, as it had been for centuries, forests. Although the forestation in different regions was of differing density, it exceeded current forestation levels by two or three times. Pine forests were more prevalent in Eastern Lithuania, while in Samogitia and Užnemunė, pine was overwhelmed by fir groves. Birches and alders were more evident in the West. The proportion of other deciduous trees was relatively small. Apart from the common animals of today, the forests were inhabited by red deer, moose and wolves, bison and aurochs, and bears which are now extinct. The other part of the country's territory was made up of waters: of swamps, lakes and rivers. The open space of settlements and castles stretched only through those areas where previous generations had lived and cut down the forest, maintaining those territories and preventing further forestation. Overland and water routes facilitated communication. Ships or horses with carts or sledges were used for larger journeys. [Extract, p. 19].
