Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(162,358 posts)
Tue Oct 27, 2020, 01:17 AM Oct 2020

Oldest known battle was massacre of merchants

Oliver Moody, Berlin
Sunday October 25 2020, 6.00pm GMT, The Times

What was thought to be one of Europe’s oldest known battles may have actually been a massacre, German archaeologists believe, with a caravan of merchants mercilessly attacked by raiders as they tried to flee.

When an ancient human skull with its forehead smashed in and an arm bone pierced by an arrowhead turned up in the banks of a German river, they prompted a revolution in the understanding of Europe’s early history.

In about 1200BC, at roughly the same time as the Greeks were besieging Troy, as many as 4,000 Bronze Age warriors waged a brutal struggle for control of a bridge near the Baltic sea. Perhaps 1,400 died.

Subscription necessary for entire article:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/oldest-known-battle-was-really-ambush-massacre-bhfbz8vp9?wgu=270525_54264_1603778696045_1e1c0a7b4c&wgexpiry=1611554696&utm_source=planit&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=22278

~ ~ ~

Next best, easily available, from MailOnline:

  • Tollense Valley in Germany is believed to be site of Europe's oldest battle
  • But archaeologists now believe it was not a fight but an ambush and massacre
  • More than 1,000 people are thought to have perished in the attack
  • They were a diverse group of merchants passing through the region, experts now believe

    By JOE PINKSTONE FOR MAILONLINE

    PUBLISHED: 06:24 EDT, 26 October 2020 | UPDATED: 09:08 EDT, 26 October 2020

    'Europe's oldest battle' in Germany's Tollense Valley 3,250 years ago may actually have been a brutal MASSACRE of 1,400 Bronze Age merchants


    Fresh analysis of Europe's earliest known battle has thrown up the possibility the 1,400 people who died at the site, in Germany's Tollense Valley, were not warriors engaged in a brutal melee, but ambushed merchants who were ruthlessly slain.

    The identity of the assailants remains unknown but it is thought they surprised the entourage and killed their guards before looting and murdering them.

    Human remains at the site in North East Germany, near today's border with Poland and 80 miles north of Berlin, were first found in 1996.

    Experts have since tried to explain how 1,400 people perished in this one event, when the region was sparsely populated throughout the Bronze Age.

    Previous theories centred around a great battle for control of a bridge over a river near the Baltic sea.

    But Detlef Jantzen, chief archaeologist for the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, says he site is more likely that of a merciless slaughter.

    More:
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8879473/Battle-Tollense-Valley-4-250-years-ago-massacre-1-400-Bronze-Age-merchants.html

  • 2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
    Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
    Oldest known battle was massacre of merchants (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2020 OP
    Doubtless trying to Make Tollense Great Again. n/t TygrBright Oct 2020 #1
    I'll bet you're right! 🤕💀 Judi Lynn Oct 2020 #2
    Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Anthropology»Oldest known battle was m...