Beneath the tranquil azure depths of Lake Ohrid, affectionately known as the “Pearl of the Balkans,” a team of scientists has unveiled a potential treasure: one of Europe’s earliest sedentary communities.

This historical enigma is nestled within a fortress of defensive spikes, a conundrum that experts are determined to decipher.

Around 8,000 years ago, a section of the Albanian lakeshore harbored a settlement of stilt houses, marking a significant milestone.

Archaeologists posit that this site stands as the oldest lakeside village in Europe ever unearthed, CBS News reported.

Based on radiocarbon dating from the excavation site, this settlement is estimated to have existed between 6000 and 5800 BC.

Albert Hafner, an archaeology professor hailing from Switzerland’s University of Bern, elaborated on this remarkable find, stating, “It is several hundred years older than previously known lake-dwelling sites in the Mediterranean and Alpine regions.

To our knowledge, it is the oldest in Europe,” as conveyed to AFP.

Notably, the most ancient of analogous villages were discovered in the Italian Alps and date back to around 5000 BC, according to this expert in Neolithic lake dwellings across Europe.

Over a span of four years, Albert Hafner and his collaborative team of Swiss and Albanian archaeologists have been diligently conducting excavations at the Lin site on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid.

This captivating journey has unfolded along the picturesque border that intertwines the mountainous landscapes of North Macedonia and Albania.

Written by staff