World’s Oldest Known Fort

December 21, 2023

An international team of archaeologists has uncovered what is believed to be the world’s oldest-known fort in a remote region of Siberia. The groundbreaking discovery challenges conventional beliefs about early human societies, suggesting that complex defense structures existed among hunter-gatherers much earlier than previously thought.

Key Points

Location and Characteristics: The fortified settlement, named Amnya, is located along the Amnya River in western Siberia. It features around 20 scattered pit-house depressions divided into two sections, Amnya I and Amnya II.
Age of the Fort: Radiocarbon dating of samples collected at the site places the fort’s construction around 8,000 years ago, making it the oldest-known fort in the world. This predates the prevailing notion that fortresses emerged with the advent of agriculture.
Challenges to Stereotypes: The study challenges stereotypes depicting early societies as basic and nomadic, revealing the capacity of these hunter-gatherers to construct intricate structures. The fort’s construction suggests advanced architectural and defensive capabilities.
Lifestyle and Resources: Archaeological examinations and analysis of samples indicate that the inhabitants of Western Siberia led a sophisticated lifestyle based on abundant resources from the taiga environment. The site’s location provided access to fish, elk, and reindeer.
Strategic Location: The researchers propose that the strategic location overlooking the river made Amnya an ideal lookout point for potential threats. It would also allow the inhabitants to monitor fishing and hunting grounds.
Unknown Motivation: While the researchers are uncertain about the motivation behind fortifying the structures, they speculate that it could have been to protect people and valuables. The study does not determine whether the construction was ordered by an authority or a collaborative effort of the community.
Revised Understanding of Early Societies: The discovery challenges the traditional view that permanent settlements with defensive structures only emerged with farming societies. It suggests that agriculture and animal husbandry were not prerequisites for societal complexity.