The Stone Age in present-day Latvia spans from the end of the Ice Age to around 1800 BCE, laying the foundation for human settlement in the region. As the glaciers receded 14,000–12,000 years ago, the earliest human settlers, following reindeer herds, arrived during the late Paleolithic period (around 12,000–11,000 years ago). Evidence of their presence, such as tools from the Swiderian culture, has been found near Salaspils, indicating a nomadic lifestyle near rivers and the shores of the Baltic Ice Lake, with the coastline then extending further inland.
During the Mesolithic period (9000–5400 BCE), as the climate warmed, hunter-gatherer communities became more permanent. Settlements were often near rivers and lakes, such as the 25 sites discovered around Lake Lubāns. These inhabitants belonged to the Kunda culture and crafted tools from flint, antler, bone, and wood, reflecting a growing sophistication in toolmaking.
The Neolithic period (5400–1800 BCE) saw significant cultural changes. Early Neolithic groups began practicing animal husbandry, agriculture, and pottery-making. Around 4100 BCE, the Narva culture emerged, with populations linked to Finnic ancestors, possibly forebears of the Livonians. Later, around 2900 BCE, the arrival of the Corded Ware culture marked the settlement of Baltic tribes, ancestors of the Latvians, who have continuously inhabited the region since then. This gradual transition through different Stone Age cultures established the cultural and demographic roots of modern Latvia.