Temperatures had slowly risen from the last ice age to reach a level which lasted from 10,000 to 5,000 years ago, then in line with Milankovitch cycles had begun a slow decline, interrupted by a small rise during the Medieval Warm Period, to the Little Ice Age.
Temperatures increased over time from the last ice age until approximately 5,000 years ago; then, following Milankovitch cycles, they experienced a gradual decrease, occasionally experiencing warmer periods during the Medieval Warm Period before reaching the Little Ice Age.