It was a relatively mild interstadial — a warmer interval within the overall cold — during which the climate was better than the worst periods of the ice age but still substantially colder and drier than modern central European conditions.

The Bohemian region where Zlatý kůň’s remains were found would have looked nothing like the forested, agricultural landscape of the modern Czech Republic.

The vegetation was a complex mosaic of steppe, tundra-like grassland, riparian woodland along river corridors, and patches of boreal forest in more sheltered areas.

The landscape was open — vast, wind-swept, dotted with rocky outcrops and dissected by river valleys.

The megafauna of this landscape was spectacular.