A 7,000-Year-Old Settlement in Serbia

Exploring Late Neolithic Life Along the Tamiš River

Archaeologists from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence, in collaboration with partners from Serbian museums, have unearthed a remarkable discovery: a previously unknown Late Neolithic settlement nestled near the Tamiš River in Northeast Serbia.

A Landmark Discovery

"This discovery is of outstanding importance, as hardly any larger Late Neolithic settlements are known in the Serbian Banat region,"

remarks Professor Dr. Martin Furholt, the team leader from the Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology at Kiel University.

Mapping Ancient Structures

Through cutting-edge geophysical methods, the team meticulously mapped the settlement's extent, revealing a sprawling area spanning 11 to 13 hectares, encircled by four to six ditches.

Results of the geophysical survey of the previously unknown site of Jarkovac (Serbia). The settlement, whose surface material points to both the Vinča culture and the Banat culture (5400-4400 BCE), has a surface area of up to 13 ha and is surrounded by four to six ditches. The deep black angular anomalies indicate a large number of burnt houses. Credit: Cluster ROOOTS/Museum of Vojvodina Novi Sad/National Museum Zrenjanin/National Museum Pančevo

"A settlement of this size is spectacular. The geophysical data also gives us a clear idea of the structure of the site 7,000 years ago,"

adds Fynn Wilkes, a ROOTS doctoral student and co-team leader.

Insights from Surface Surveys

In tandem with geophysical surveys, the researchers scoured the surrounding landscape for surface artifacts. These findings point to the settlement's affiliation with the Vinča culture, dating back to 5400-4400 BCE, with notable influences from the regional Banat culture.

A wheel model from the site of Szilvás (Hungary), which can be assigned to the Vučedol culture (3000/2900–2500/2400 BCE). Credit: Fynn Wilkes

Exploring Hungarian Rondels

During the same expedition, the team ventured into Hungary to investigate Late Neolithic circular features attributed to the Lengyel culture. By employing advanced geophysical techniques and on-foot surveys, they gained fresh insights into the chronological evolution of these sites.

Map of the sites that were surveyed as part of the 2024 spring campaign. Credit: Fynn Wilkes, base map DGM: European Union, 1995–2024

Redefining Historical Narratives

One of the expedition's highlights was the reassessment of a settlement believed to belong to the Late Copper Age and Early Bronze Age Vučedol culture. Additionally, the meticulous documentation of a Late Neolithic circular ditch shed new light on ancient socio-economic dynamics.

Unraveling Social Inequalities

Professor Martin Furholt underscores the significance of Southeast Europe in understanding the dissemination of knowledge and technology during early human history. These discoveries contribute valuable data to the ROOTS project, which investigates the interplay between wealth inequality and knowledge transfer in ancient societies.

As analyses continue, these findings promise to deepen our understanding of prehistoric lifeways and illuminate the complex tapestry of human civilization's evolution.