Leif Inselmann, the lead researcher of the study, holds an arrowhead found in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a region in northeastern Germany where the Tollense Valley battlefield is located. CNN
A new analysis of arrowheads has helped researchers gain further insight into one of Europe’s oldest known battlefields, located in the Tollense Valley in northeastern Germany. The site dates back 3,250 years, to 1250 BC, and was discovered in 1996 when an amateur archaeologist found a bone protruding from the bank of the Tollense River. Since then, the area has become a rich archaeological site, uncovering an array of weapons, including swords, wooden clubs, and numerous arrowheads, with some still embedded in human bones. Excavations have unearthed over 12,500 bones belonging to around 150 individuals, believed to have perished during the battle.
Though the bones have provided some insight into the men who fought—mainly young, strong warriors—many questions about the cause of the battle and the identities of those involved remain unanswered. There are no written records from the time, leaving researchers to rely on the artifacts and human remains for clues.
A team of researchers studying the arrowheads recently made a significant breakthrough. They discovered that the battle likely involved not just local groups but also an army from the south. Their findings suggest that this clash may be the earliest evidence of interregional warfare in Europe. The arrowheads acted as a key piece of evidence, showing distinct differences in their shape and design, which indicated that some were made far from the Tollense Valley, likely in regions that are now modern-day Bavaria and Moravia.
Researchers discovered several bronze and flint arrowheads at the Tollense Valley site. CNN
Lead researcher Leif Inselmann from the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies highlighted the importance of these findings, stating that the arrowheads act like a "smoking gun," providing crucial clues about the origins of the fighters involved. The discovery of foreign artifacts, including a Bohemian bronze ax and a sword from southeastern Central Europe, had previously suggested that outsiders were part of the battle. Still, the analysis of the arrowheads adds weight to this theory.
One theory about the cause of the battle points to a causeway that crossed the Tollense River, constructed around 500 years before the battle. This causeway may have been part of a vital trade route, leading to conflict over control of the area. However, the absence of clear sources of wealth, such as metal mines or salt extraction sites, makes the trade route theory less likely. Some experts believe the conflict was more likely a struggle for political control and long-term wealth extraction rather than simple plunder.
Researchers documented the injuries found on remains from the Tollense Valley to help understand how the battle unfolded. CNN
Though the exact scale of the battle remains unclear, the findings suggest that more than 2,000 people may have been involved. Researchers believe that more human remains are yet to be discovered in the valley, which could represent hundreds of additional victims.
This discovery has reshaped the perception of the Bronze Age, previously thought to be a relatively peaceful period. The 13th century BC, marked by significant cultural changes, now appears to have been a time of organized, large-scale warfare. Researchers believe that Tollense is just one example of the violent conflicts that accompanied this period of societal transformation.
Years of digging in Germany's Tollense Valley have revealed that the site was the location of Europe's oldest battlefield, dating back 3,250 years. CNN
The research also underscores the importance of archery in Bronze Age warfare. Arrow injuries found on the remains suggest that warriors were likely protected by shields in the front, leaving their backs vulnerable. This study has provided essential insight into the nature of the Tollense battle, revealing that the conflict involved at least two distinct groups from different regions, one of which traveled hundreds of kilometers to fight.
