A Bronze Age Conflict: Insights from Europe’s Oldest Known Battlefield
A Bronze Age Conflict: Insights from Europe’s Oldest Known Battlefield
Archaeologists uncover the scale and origins of a 3,250-year-old battle at Tollense Valley
Recent archaeological research1 in northeast Germany has revealed new insights into Europe’s oldest known battlefield, the Tollense Valley, dating back 3,250 years. Using detailed analysis of arrowheads and human remains, researchers are reconstructing the story of this violent confrontation. Findings suggest that this ancient battle marked the beginning of large-scale, organized warfare in Europe. The research challenges earlier views of Bronze Age conflict, revealing a more complex social organization and interregional warfare.
Discovering the Tollense Valley Battlefield
The Tollense Valley site, first discovered in 1996 by an amateur archaeologist, has since yielded 12,500 human bones and over 300 metal weapons, including swords, wooden clubs, and an array of arrowheads. Embedded in some of these bones, these weapons tell the story of a violent conflict that took place around 1250 BCE.
Research into the site, led by Leif Inselmann and a team from the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies, has suggested that Tollense represents the earliest known large-scale battle in Europe. The site holds remains of over 150 warriors, and studies of their bones show that many were young, able-bodied men, some with scars from previous battles. However, the identity of the combatants and the reasons behind the conflict have long remained a mystery.
Unveiling Interregional Warfare through Arrowheads
The new study focuses on the arrowheads found at the battlefield, revealing key details about the nature of the battle and the people involved. Inselmann and his team analyzed dozens of arrowheads, some of which displayed unique shapes and designs not typical of the region. These findings, published in the journal Antiquity, suggest that the battle involved not only local forces but also warriors from southern regions, including present-day Bavaria and Moravia. Inselmann say,
“The arrowheads are a kind of ‘smoking gun. They provide clues about the origin of the fighters and show that this battle wasn’t just a local affair—it involved groups from distant regions.”
By mapping 4,700 Bronze Age arrowheads from across Central Europe and comparing them with those found at Tollense, the researchers discovered that some of the weapons likely came from far beyond the battlefield. The presence of these foreign arrowheads implies the involvement of an organized, interregional conflict—a significant development for Bronze Age warfare.
Clues to the Cause of the Conflict
What led to such a large and bloody battle in the Tollense Valley remains unclear, but one hypothesis involves control over a vital trade route. The Tollense River was once crossed by a causeway, built 500 years before the battle, which may have been part of a major trade network. Thomas Terberger, co-author of the study and professor of prehistoric archaeology at the University of Göttingen, suggests that controlling this trade route could have been the spark for the conflict.
However, some experts, like Barry Molloy of University College Dublin, offer an alternative theory. Molloy speculates that the battle was part of a larger political struggle, with one group seeking to exert control over another in order to extract wealth over time, rather than simply engaging in plunder.
Scale of the Battle and Implications for Bronze Age Warfare
The Tollense Valley battle involved more than 2,000 participants, according to estimates based on the number of bones and weapons found at the site. This scale of conflict challenges earlier perceptions of Bronze Age warfare, which was often thought to involve only small, localized skirmishes.
In fact, the Tollense battle suggests that Bronze Age societies were capable of organizing large armies, possibly led by early “warlords” or regional rulers. The sheer number of combatants, and the logistics required to support such a large-scale conflict, point to a higher level of social and political organization than previously believed.
Molloy comments,
“Tollense shows us that fortified settlements and weapons were more than just symbols of power—they were created for military purposes, including full-scale battles.”
The Role of Archery in Bronze Age Combat
The placement of arrow injuries on the remains of the fallen warriors also sheds light on the tactics used in the battle. Some injuries suggest that shields were used for protection, but that fighters’ backs were left exposed, indicating the importance of archery on the battlefield. Molloy notes that this study highlights the role of archers in ancient warfare, which has often been underestimated in earlier analyses of Bronze Age battles. Molly says,
“This is a really convincing study that provides insight into the nature of this key prehistoric battle site. The authors make a robust case that there were at least two competing forces, from distinct societies, with one group having traveled hundreds of kilometers to fight.”
A Changing View of the Bronze Age
The Tollense Valley battlefield is reshaping our understanding of Bronze Age conflict and society. Once thought to be a relatively peaceful period, new evidence suggests that this era saw significant violence, with organized armies and large-scale battles. As researchers continue to study the remains and artifacts from Tollense, they hope to uncover more about the motivations behind the conflict and the broader implications for Bronze Age Europe.
As Inselmann notes,
“Tollense is likely only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the scale of violence and social organization during this time.”
Inselmann L, Krüger J, Schopper F, Rahmstorf L, Terberger T. Warriors from the south? Arrowheads from the Tollense Valley and Central Europe. Antiquity. Published online 2024:1-19. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.140