Hidden Bronze Age settlements revealed in Serbian plains through satellite imagery

[Judi Lynn]

Dario Radley by Dario Radley November 21, 2023

Satellite imagery has uncovered a network of more than 100 Bronze Age structures concealed in the expansive plains of Serbia, challenging previous assumptions about the region’s history.



An aerial view of farmland and one of the circular earthworks in northern Serbia. Credit: Barry Molloy et al/PLoS ONE, 2023

The findings, dating back over 3,000 years, were published in a study led by Barry Molloy, an associate professor of archaeology at University College Dublin.

The remnants of these Late Bronze Age settlements were first noticed in 2015 while reviewing Google Earth photos of a 93-mile stretch along Serbia’s Tisza River.

Molloy told Live Science that “We could see traces of over 100 Late Bronze Age settlements,” and what sets this discovery apart is the detailed measurement of their size and layout, providing unprecedented insights into the organization of these ancient communities.



Credit: Barry Molloy et al/PLoS ONE, 2023

Contrary to earlier beliefs about the Pannonian Plain as a hinterland devoid of Bronze Age settlements, this discovery challenges that narrative. The proximity of the enclosures, similar to modern neighborhoods, suggests a consciously chosen tightly-knit community structure. Molloy describes it as a “complex and well-organized society.”

More:
https://archaeologymag.com/2023/11/satellite-imagery-revealed-bronze-age-settlements-in-serbia/