Worlds Oldest Fort found in Siberia

Context

• An international team of archaeologists has discovered the world’s oldest-known fort in western Siberia, named Amnya.
• Situated along the Amnya River, the fortified settlement challenges conventional beliefs about early human societies.

Key Findings and Dating

1. Amnya features about 20 scattered pit-house depressions in two sections, Amnya I and Amnya II.
2. Radiocarbon dating places the fort’s construction around 8,000 years ago, preceding existing notions about the emergence of fortresses with agriculture.
3. It challenges the traditional view linking permanent settlements with defensive structures solely to farming societies. It suggests that societal complexity did not require agriculture or animal husbandry as prerequisites.
4. It highlights the ability of hunter-gatherers to build intricate structures.
5. The fort's construction showcases advanced architectural and defensive capabilities, defying traditional views of basic, nomadic early societies.

Sophisticated Lifestyle and Strategic Location

1. Inhabitants of Western Siberia demonstrated a sophisticated lifestyle, utilizing abundant resources from the taiga environment.
2. The site's strategic position overlooking the river served as an ideal lookout point for potential threats and allowed monitoring of fishing and hunting grounds.

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