Arrowheads Reveal Mysterious Army in Europe’s Oldest Battle

The peaceful scenery of the Tollense Valley in northeast Germany hides a violent history as Europe’s oldest known battlefield. Discovered in 1996 by an amateur archaeologist, the site has revealed thousands of ancient bones and weapons, indicating a large-scale battle took place 3,250 years ago. Ongoing excavations have raised questions about who fought in this battle and why.

Recent discoveries of bronze and flint arrowheads at the site offer new clues. While many of the weapons are local, some, differing in shape, originated from regions like Bavaria and Moravia. This suggests that a southern army traveled to Tollense and engaged in battle with local tribes, possibly over a strategic river crossing.

Despite these findings, much remains unknown, but the research brings archaeologists closer to unraveling the mystery of this ancient conflict.