In Prehistoric times, Norway was originally inhabited by pre-Indo-European Hunter-gatherer cultures. Toward the end of the 3rd millennium BC these were overrun by Proto-Indo-European speaking Battle-Axe peoples, an individualistic and patriarchal culture who shared resemblances with the Siberian Afanasevo culture. These people, who are believed to be the earliest ancestors of modern Norwegians, brought domesticated horses, agriculture, cattle and wheel technology to the region. During the Nordic Bronze Age, an advanced Proto-Norse speaking civilization engaged in maritime trade and manufacturing of bronze weapons and gold jewellery emerged in coastal Norway. It has been assumed that this civilization was founded in amber trade, through contacts with Central European and Mediterranean cultu