Recently, archaeologists made a surprising discovery in Siberia as they unearthed what is believed to be the oldest human settlement in the world.
Located in the Lower Ob region, an archaeological site known as Amnya, the site dates back to the late 7th millennium BC, when humans lived predominantly as hunter-gatherers.
Discoveries about ancient humans
This finding, the result of excavations carried out between 1987 and 2000, revealed traces of a wooden fence that surrounded the settlement, suggesting the existence of a fortification.
Furthermore, housing pits were found both inside and outside this wall, which indicates a possible hierarchical structure in the local society.
Place where the fortress used to exist – Image: E. Dubovtseva/Piezonka et al, Antiquity 2023/Reproduction
Recent excavations added ten ditches 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 antiquity of the settlement and defined it as the oldest known to date.
The construction of Amnya, prior to similar structures in Europechallenges the traditional notion that monumental architecture emerged only after the development of agriculture and the formation of complex societies.
The reason why the ancient inhabitants of Amnya built such a fortification is still a mystery.
However, research suggests that the phenomenon may be related to a period of global cooling, which began approximately 8,200 years ago and lasted for two millennia.
Such a climatic event may have intensified territoriality and conflicts between human groups in the region.
Another factor that may have influenced the construction is the emergence of ceramics during this period, which allowed the storage of high-calorie foods, such as fish oil. The need to protect such resources may have been a motivator for the construction of the fortress.
This discovery offers a new perspective on pre-agricultural life and suggests that it may not have been as peaceful as once imagined.
The existence of such an ancient fortification points to the possibility of a society organized, with defensive strategies and a greater social complexity than was assumed at the time.
