Bronze Age settlement found underwater in Lithuania

  • 2022-10-14
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS - A Bronze Age settlement has been discovered underwater in Lake Belys in Lithuania's Svencionys District, archaeologists say.

They found pile structures near the island and beams of wooden buildings scattered in the lake during sonar exploration of the lake's bed.

"Three rows of wooden piles were found on the submerged slope of the island, which is likely to be a defensive barrier protecting the access to the settlement on the island. Among the piles, many shards of striated pottery, animal bones used for food and burnt stones were found," the statement reads.

Archaeologists believe the island was the site of a fortified settlement from the late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. Over time, the water level rose and some parts of the settlement structures went underwater, and wood and organic matter survived well in the wet environment.