For archaeologists and historians, the "Pearl of the Balkans," Lake Ohrid, contains a mystery. The remnants of a long-forgotten village that had been submerged for more than 8,000 years have been found by scientists, shedding light on the mysticism surrounding ancient European civilizations and their way of life. Their defense systems and defensive mechanisms are now under scrutiny in light of this revelation.
(Photo : NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images) Remi Martineau, archeologist, and researcher for the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Dijon, poses in a hypogeum (an underground tomb) dug into the chalk near Vert-Toulon, on June 8, 2017.
Discovery Site
Between 6000 and 5800 BCE, the first sedentary settlement in Europe was unearthed on Lake Ohrid. Its existence during the shift from established agriculture to nomadic hunting is indicated by radiocarbon dating.
Our knowledge of ancient cultures and their connections with their environs is being tested by this ground-breaking revelation.
A group of researchers explored the secrets beneath Lake Ohrid under the direction of Albert Hafner from the University of Bern.
The 200-500-person Lin hamlet demonstrated the resilience and flexibility of its residents. The community was built on stilts either above the lake's surface or in low-lying sections.
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Strategic Design
Thousands of spiked boards are pushed into the bottom of the lake to form a complex spike fortress, one of Lin's amazing defensive constructions.
The complex defense system used by the ancient villagers is a matter of debate; some claim it was required to ward off raiding tribes or untamed beasts, while others take internal disputes into account.
Treasures Deep Within
In a submerged hamlet, archaeologists have found priceless relics, including bits of oak and petrified wood. Tree-ring research provides information on the climate and daily life of the locals.
Oak is compared to a Swiss clock and calendar, highlighting the significance of these old, weathered witnesses.
Into the Primitive Mind
The mysteries of Lin are still being revealed by researchers. The procedure is complicated by the village's dense vegetation, and the people's choice to construct their homes on stilts raises issues regarding their problems and motivations.
Although domesticated animals and agriculture were essential to keeping the settlement alive, there is still more to discover. Because of the site's significance, scholars from all across Europe are drawn to it.
The finding of seeds, plants, and animal bones, according to Albanian archaeology professor Ilir Gjepali, offers information on the peasants' food preferences and resource management.
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