In northeast Germany’s Tollense Valley lies a historic landmark – the world’s oldest known battlefield, dating back to around 1275 BCE. This ancient archaeological site is characterized by the remains of approximately 150 individuals.
The analysis of arrowheads unearthed at the archaeological site suggests that the weaponry did not originate locally, implying that the conflict involved combatants from beyond European borders. The group’s findings were publicly disclosed today.
Leif Inselmann, lead writer of the analysis and researcher at Freie Universität Berlin, describes the arrowheads as a “smoking gun” in a statement. While archaeological finds often provide valuable insights into past cultures, comparing them directly to elements in a thriller may be an unconventional approach. However, if we were to rephrase this statement in a more academic tone, it could read: “The analysis of the weaponry at Tollense Valley offers a significant clue about the origins and identity of the combatants involved.”
The concept of positioning as a battleground emerged in 2011, despite the specific details of the conflict remaining obscure. Estimating the number of participants in the conflict is challenging, but researchers have made an educated guess based on the remaining human remains at the site, suggesting that more than 2,000 individuals may have been involved in the battle itself. It appears that the majority of the fighters were not native to northern Germany, a fact recently disclosed by the present group.
Throughout Central Europe, Inselmann’s exhaustive collection of nearly 5,000 arrowheads revealed a diverse array of types, with distinct varieties evident at the ancient battlefield site. The archaeological findings indicated that the arrowheads were predominantly fashioned from flint and bronze materials, with the flint examples being characteristic of global patterns, while the bronze arrowheads demonstrated a blend of both local and non-local styles. While most arrowheads were unearthed in the Tollense region, a notable exception lies in those featuring straight or rhombic bases, which are more commonly associated with southern territories such as Bavaria and Moravia.
While international arrowheads were absent from tombs found in the Tollense Valley, this suggests that the arrowheads introduced from outside regions did not solely reach the area through commercial exchange. It seems that arrowheads were transported to Tollense Valley with the intention of engaging in combat. The skeletal remains, encased in a crown-like arrangement, starkly proclaim its gruesome fate: a human skull, riddled with a bronze-tipped arrow.
“The Tollense Valley battle predates significant cultural transformations,” Inselmann noted. What drives individuals to engage in violent conflict? Were Bronze Age warriors structured around a tribal confederation, the personal retinue or mercenary forces of a prominent leader – effectively a “warlord” –, or perhaps the military apparatus of a nascent state?
While the arrowheads do not definitively clarify the specifics of the conflict, they do suggest that the large-scale violence involved parties from more distant regions than previously recognized. Because of their renowned paper, archaeologists have failed to unearth any helmets or breastplates characteristic of the time period from excavations at Tollense, suggesting that additional digs may be crucial to uncover more about the ancient warriors whose remains still lie undisturbed on the site.
