Archaeologists recently made a surprising discovery Siberia when they uncovered what is believed to be the oldest human settlement in the world.
Located in the Lower Ob region, the archaeological site called Amnya dates back to the late 7th millennium BC. BC, when people lived predominantly as hunters and gatherers.
Discoveries about ancient people
This find, the result of excavations between 1987 and 2000, revealed traces of a wooden fence surrounding the settlement, suggesting the existence of a fortress.
In addition, living pits have been found both inside and outside this wall, suggesting a possible hierarchical structure in local society.
Place where the fortress once stood Image: E. Dubovtseva/Piezonka et al, Antiquity 2023/Reproduction
Recent excavations have added ten trenches to the site map, all surrounded by ravines and ditches.
Through carbon analysis of the charcoal and traces of the fence, the researchers determined the age of the settlement and defined it as the oldest known to date.
The construction of Amnya, before similar buildings in Europechallenges the traditional idea that monumental architecture emerged only after the development of agriculture and the formation of complex societies.
The reason why the ancient residents of Amnya built such a fortress is still a mystery.
However, research suggests that the phenomenon may be linked to a period of global cooling that began about 8,200 years ago and lasted for two millennia.
Such a climatic event may have exacerbated territoriality and conflicts between human groups in the region.
Another factor that may have influenced construction is the emergence of pottery during this period, which allowed the storage of highcalorie foods such as fish oil. The need to protect such resources may have been a motive for the construction of the fortress.
This discovery offers a new perspective on life before agriculture and suggests that it may not have been as peaceful as once imagined.
The existence of such an ancient fortress points to the possibility Company organized, with defensive strategies and greater social complexity than was then assumed.