When we think of the Bronze Age in northern Europe, we mostly picture this.
Mostly peaceful nomads or
peaceful villagers living hard lives. War is something that doesn't get
mentioned often.
So let me tell you about the
battle of Tollense valley.
This battle happened in the 13th
century BC. When the Egyptians and Hitties were busy concluding their peace
treaty.
Right here.
In Mecklenburg Vorpommern
ca.3000–5000 fighters (aged 20–40) fought in what is believed to be Central
Europe's biggest fight of the time. The battle only lasted a day, but some of
the warriors fighting in it, were already veterans; bearing healed scars. Spears,
swords (although none were found at the site), clubs, arrows, Knives and
sickles were used during this fight. There were also horse riders and officers
of sort.
This may seem like a small feat
compared to today's standards, but at a time when the population density was
approx. 5 people per square kilometre this was no stroll in the park. For this
to have happened, a central government of sort needed to have existed. And this
was earlier thought to have appeared much later in northern Europe.
The reasons for this battle are
obviously unknown, but the most reasonable explanation is, that one group
wanted to move somewhere and the other refused to let them cross. 20–25 percent
of the fighters died, so I'm sure that whatever it was they were fighting
about, that it was serious.
This just show that no matter the living conditions or capabilities humans will find reasons to kill each other.
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