What is the age of the human settlement discovered in Albania's Lake Ohrid region?

The human settlement discovered in Albania's Lake Ohrid region dates back between 6,000 and 8,000 years, making it the oldest known human settlement built on a European lake.

What types of artifacts have archaeologists uncovered at the Lake Ohrid settlement?

Archaeologists have uncovered a variety of well-preserved artifacts from the Lake Ohrid settlement, including wooden stilts that supported houses, bones of domesticated and wild animals, copper objects, and intricate ceramic artifacts featuring detailed carvings.

Home / Science / Sunken Treasure: 8,000-Year-Old Lakeside Village Discovered in Albania

Sunken Treasure: 8,000-Year-Old Lakeside Village Discovered in Albania

Q: How did the early inhabitants of the Lake Ohrid settlement contribute to the spread of agriculture and livestock in Europe?

The findings from the Lake Ohrid settlement show that the early inhabitants played a crucial role in the spread of agriculture and livestock to other parts of Europe, as they relied on a stable income from farming and animal husbandry in addition to hunting and gathering.

17 Jul

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Summary

Archaeologists uncover Europe's oldest human settlement on Lake Ohrid, Albania
Radiocarbon dating confirms the site dates back 6,000 to 8,000 years
Findings show early inhabitants helped spread agriculture and livestock to Europe

Archaeologists working on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Albania have made a remarkable discovery, uncovering the oldest known human settlement built on a European lake. The site, located in the village of Lin, dates back between 6,000 and 8,000 years, predating similar settlements in the region by half a millennium.

The team, comprising researchers from Switzerland and Albania, has been painstakingly retrieving wooden stilts, bones of domesticated and wild animals, copper objects, and intricate ceramic artifacts from the lake bed, which is about three meters underwater. Radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology have confirmed the age of the organic materials found at the site, which may have hosted several hundred people and covered an area of around six hectares.

The findings suggest that the early inhabitants of this lakeside community played a crucial role in the spread of agriculture and livestock to other parts of Europe. While they continued to engage in hunting and gathering, the stable income for their nutrition came primarily from agriculture, indicating a sophisticated understanding of farming and animal husbandry.

As the excavation continues, the researchers believe it could take decades to fully explore the area and uncover the full extent of this remarkable prehistoric settlement, which offers a unique window into the lives of our ancestors thousands of years ago.

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