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One of the most iconic examples of the Little Ice Age’s impact could be found in London during the winter months. The River Thames actually froze during a series of 24 winters, at which point many so-called "frost fairs" were held on the ice.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, part of the Earth (especially the Northern Hemisphere) was gripped by a frigid cold that has since been known as the Little Ice Age. Entire nations were negatively impacted, and many people struggled to survive.
The Little Ice Age was not a true ice age, since average temperatures only dropped by about 1°F (0.5°C) and it wasn’t constantly cold. However, the effects of the colder climate were felt around the globe, and this has impacted much of history ever since.
Although scientists are still unsure what caused the Little Ice Age, many have speculated that decreased solar activity or even increased volcanic eruptions may have contributed.
Interestingly, the colder weather caused the strait between Sweden and Denmark to freeze over, which enabled King Charles X Gustav of Sweden (pictured) to march his army to capture the Danish island of Funen in 1658.
Some people have speculated that the unique sound of Stradivarius violins (which were created in the 17th and 18th centuries) are the result of the wood that Antonio Stradivari used for their creation. It is said the increased cold made the wood denser than usual.
Toward the late 1600s, the cold became so unbearable that several European nations experienced major famines. Many people and animals died, but they weren’t able to receive proper burials since the ground was too hard to dig up.
Communities began raising livestock breeds that were more tolerant of cold weather, such as sheep, goats, and some breeds of cattle. They could survive on less pasture while withstanding the colder temperatures.
In order to survive, farmers were forced to modify their agricultural practices to cope with the shorter growing seasons and colder temperatures. They began planting hardier crops such as rye and oats that could withstand the harsh conditions better than wheat or barley.
To ensure food security during the colder months, communities developed better food storage methods. They constructed more robust granaries and cellars, which helped in preserving grains, vegetables, and other perishables for extended periods.
Root vegetables like turnips and potatoes became staples of people’s diet due to their ability to grow in colder climates. Foraging for wild foods also remained a crucial survival strategy, although wild meat was rarer due to the cold.
In some regions, particularly in Europe, the use of early greenhouses, or "orangeries," became more common. Fruits and vegetables that wouldn’t survive the outdoor climate could now be cultivated.
While the cold crept into people’s homes, the demand for fuel increased as people needed to keep warm. The use of peat, coal, and other alternative fuels became widespread in areas where wood was scarce.
Houses were built or modified to retain heat better. Thicker walls and improved insulation were common features, and some communities even built semi-underground homes to maintain a stable indoor temperature.
In many regions, communal living became a crucial survival strategy. Multiple families would often live together in larger groups to share resources and body heat.
Just like many wild animals, some people adopted seasonal migration patterns. They would move to lower altitudes or more temperate areas during the winter months, and then return in the spring and summer for planting and harvesting.
Clothing styles evolved to provide better protection against the cold. Layering became commonplace in areas that didn’t usually experience extreme cold, and people wore multiple layers of wool, fur, and other insulating materials.
Fishing became an increasingly important source of food, particularly in coastal regions. Communities developed sophisticated techniques for fishing in cold waters and preserving fish through salting and drying.
Although this wasn’t necessarily a survival strategy, winter sports like ice skating and skiing provided a means of recreation, which helped people cope with the long, harsh winters.
Knowledge of medicinal plants helped people cope with the health challenges posed by the cold. In fact, some herbal remedies used to treat infections and frostbite today have been in use for centuries since before the Little Ice Age.
Sledges and sleighs, which were adapted to the harsh terrain, became primary modes of transportation in snowy conditions. To this day, these vehicles allow people to move even when roads are impassable due to snow and ice.
Since the colder weather essentially killed off many plants, the dried environment became perfect for wildfires to thrive. In order to mitigate this, people burned forests in controlled ways, which also cleared essential land for agriculture.
The cottage industry (which involves conducting business from the comfort of your home) flourished as people sought additional income sources. Weaving, knitting, and crafting goods for sale became common, allowing families to survive financial instability.
During the Little Ice Age, many people innovated techniques in food preservation, such as pickling, smoking, fermenting, and even refrigeration (pictured). This allowed food to be stored for longer, even when fresh produce was unavailable.
One of the more extreme elements of the Little Ice Age was food shortage. Local governance played a critical role in managing resources by rationing grains or regulating the prices of essential goods.
In areas with harsh winters, people moved into natural shelters such as caves and rock overhangs, since they are more enduring and provide additional protection from the elements.
As climates around the world change due to human causes, scientists are trying to study the Little Ice Age more closely so that they can understand how the world’s climate functioned back then and also how people were able to endure such brutal adversity.
Sources: (National Geographic) (History.com) (The New Yorker) (New England Historical Society)
See also: Everything you need to know about Earth's numerous ice ages
As crops failed due to the extreme cold and communities struggled to survive, many people were put on trial and condemned as witches because they were thought to be the cause of the cold.
Curious? Click through this gallery to find out how people survived the Little Ice Age.
How did humans survive the brutal Little Ice Age?
A period of cold that lasted centuries
LIFESTYLE History
Imagine living your entire life with winters that are cold enough to freeze lakes and rivers... Although that is the reality for a few countries around the world, there was a time when this was true for almost every nation in the Northern Hemisphere. This period was known as the Little Ice Age, and it truly was a brutal time for most of the world.
Curious? Click through this gallery to find out how people survived the Little Ice Age.