Halgean Prehistory

Halgean prehistory is largely defined through the varying struggles of the Halgean peoples to survive on their northern peninsula against the overarching struggles of harsh winters and poor harvests.

Geographic Context
The Halgean Peninsula, directly west of the Helmian subcontinent is largely mountainous, with little open spaces for agricultral practices. In addittion, the mountains of the Peninsula serve largely as a windbreak for continuous storms and squalls that rush in from the Sea of Petals, resulting in harsh wind-chill environments and opressive weather cycles in autumnal and winter months.

The rainshadow effect resulting from the prevalence of the Halgean mountains means that rainfall is unlikely to reach the Halgean coastline immediately, with rainclouds usually ascending the mountain range and precipitation beginning away from coastal settlements. Resultantly, Halgean cities rely heavily on freshwater springs and streams resulting from preciptation further north, passing through underground rivers and aquifers which surface when met with the denser mountain rock.

Summer months are largely mild, with pressure deviations occuring sparodically due to various meterological phenomena such as the Helmian Northern Slipstream, an oceanic current of warmer water that runs against the Halgean coastline periodically, resulting in warmer summers. This creates a rise in fishing industries in summer due to warmer waters attracting migratory fish shoals from the Yularan coastline further north.

In the few mountain meadows discovered within the Halgean Peninsula, the soil is found to be richly fertile due to unknown geological processces theorised to be related to the formation of the Halgean mountain range. In addition, prevalence of rainfall in the Halgean Peninsula allows for easy development of crops within these select regions, resulting in a small but efficeint supply of basic agricultural goods for the local populace.

Early Migrations
Much of the evidence of early Halgean settlers has remained undiscovered by the region's archeologists. However, presence of unearthed timbers and animal fabrics on the westernmost coastline suggest coastal migration from further north or even transmigration from the nearby island of Yulara.

Utilising accounts from the Yularan mainland, many of the tribal communities from the Dawn of Masonry period do not describe migrations off of the isle, leading to theorising that peoples such as the Northfolk may have journeyed southwards from their home continent of Beauridine.

Others posit that migrations via land-bridge to the Halgean peninsula from mainland Neiden or Helmia may have resulted in the development of the first Halgean communities, which is gaining traction as a theory withing the areological community. Descoveries of bones dating as far back as 24,000 years ago suggest a similar timescale to the Grain-pharoah period of mainland Yulara, wherein capabilites for trans-oceanic migration were non-existent, further supporting this concept.

Discoveries of small wooden settlements alongside the Halgean coastlin within sedimentary beds from approximately 24,000 years ago suggest early settlements to be comprised of primitive lean-to huts, gathered from driftwood and chunks of shuberry alongside the coastline and smaller open regions of the Halgean Peninsula. Further excavations found bodies with imprints along the tibias and craniums of many skeletons, suggesting that infighting was common during these early days, likely due to food disputes.

Early lifestyles consisted of the Hunter-gatherer arechtype and the remainder of communities being dedicated to repairing huts and caring for newborn. This evidence is corroborated by the burial of male skeletons with lengthy wooden implements with burnt tips, suggesting use of primitive spears to hunt prey such as shorline and mountain fish, alongside smaller mamals like Halegan mountain hares.

Slowly, core Halgean communities became seperated over time along the coast, likely due to disputes during winter months as food became more scarce. This resulted in proto-tribal communities forming, and different belief systems developing as a result. This period is known as "Tribal Halge".