The Mesolithic period is characterized by the development of more advanced hunting and gathering techniques, as well as the emergence of permanent settlements. Mesolithic shelters were typically constructed using locally available materials, such as wood, stone, and animal hides. In Europe, for example, Mesolithic shelters often took the form of pit dwellings, which were dug into the ground and covered with a roof made of branches and animal skins. In other parts of the world, such as North America and Africa, Mesolithic shelters might consist of caves, rock overhangs, or simple huts made of wood and leaves.