Archaeologists working off the coast of Germany have made an amazing find—a wall stretching for over half a mile, which experts believe could be over ten thousand years old!
The Discovery
This incredible find was discovered accidentally, as a sonar system detected it unexpectedly from a boat sailing around six miles from the shoreline. Archaeologists have been quick to declare it one of humanity’s oldest “mega-structures”, and whilst theories are developing as to the purpose of the wall, currently most scientists agree that it would have played a role in assisting our ancient ancestors in their hunts. One theory is that pre-Ice Age, the wall wasn’t submerged under the sea but was in fact built beside a lake. Humans would have chased herd animals, such as reindeer, and used the wall and the lake shore to trap them to make hunting easier and more effective.
What Can It Tell Us?
Further research is needed to determine the exact length of the wall and to develop theories relating to its purpose, but one thing is clear – constructing a wall of this size in the Stone Age would have taken some serious commitment and teamwork from the people living in this area. Developing our understanding of the wall may adjust our understanding of Stone Age society, from one that was violent and heavily focused on tribal rivalries, to one that depended on cooperation and mutual support from different communities. Analyzing the mega-structure will also develop archaeologists’ understanding of the tools and technology to which ancient humans had access to; it is already clear that some of the boulders in the wall were beyond the means of humans to move, and so the site must have partly been selected due to the presence of these huge stones.
The accidental discovery of this wall will really help to develop knowledge regarding the lives and existence of Stone Age people in Northern Europe, and it will add to our understanding of the societies and technology of ancient people.