Archaeologists using satellite technology have unearthed a startlingly expansive network of Bronze Age settlements across Central Europe.
According to Country Living, the new findings reveal a complex society, challenging traditional views of ancient European civilizations.
Utilizing advanced satellite imagery, researchers were able to identify over a hundred interconnected sites spanning from 1600 to 1200 BC. These discoveries expose a network of structures covering vast distances, suggesting these groups were far more organized and interconnected than previously believed.
The large fortified structures, known as megaforts, such as Gradište Iđoš and Corneşti Iarcuri, encompass over 20 miles of defensive ditches. This revelation points to a society that valued and possibly required strong defensive measures.
Located in the Carpathian Basin near the Tisza River, these sites played a significant role in the region's economic and cultural exchanges, interfacing with contemporary powers like the Mycenaeans and Hittites.
Barry Molloy, a leading expert on the project, highlighted the groundbreaking aspect of the find. "Uniquely for prehistoric Europe, we can do more than identify the location of a few sites. We have defined an entire settled landscape," he said.
Molloy's team provided detailed maps showing the layout of these settlements, including residential areas. This level of detail offers an unprecedented view of how these communities lived, interacted, and defended themselves.
The researchers used satellite imagery coupled with ground verification, such as excavation and geophysical prospection, to confirm the age and detailed structure of each site.
These findings challenge the earlier hypothesis that diminishing populations led to societal collapse around 1200 BC. Instead, evidence suggests a densely connected network that could support large populations.
"The scale of this society indicates it was relevant and powerful on a European stage," Molloy explained, referencing the significant developments in warfare and organized defense systems unearthed at these sites. This level of sophistication in military organization points to a society capable of sustaining considerable populations and repelling threats effectively.
According to Molloy, this dense network of settlements was not indicative of fragmented chiefdoms competing for resources but rather a collective of codependent communities.
The interconnected nature of these sites suggests that Bronze Age people in the region engaged in complex societal structures, unlike what was previously presumed about early European civilizations. The strong fortifications and large, organized communities imply a society capable of advanced planning and cooperation.
This complexity also sheds light on the interactions these communities had with neighboring civilizations, suggesting that they were a key hub in regional trade networks and cultural exchanges, impacting the broader European landscape during their peak around 1450 BC.
The decline of these communities and their eventual disappearance around 1200 BC opened new discussions regarding the environmental, societal, and military challenges they faced.
New insights into warfare practices during this period indicate major innovations in organized conflict. "Major innovations in warfare and organized violence took place at this time," noted Molloy. These findings suggest not only advancements in military strategies but also the importance of defensible settlements in maintaining and expanding societal reach.
This multi-faceted approach to understanding Bronze Age societies through their military capabilities further complements the narrative of a complex, interconnected societal network.
Overall, the revelations about this Bronze Age network call for a reevaluation of European prehistoric studies and the societal dynamics of ancient civilizations on this continent.
