Tollense
Encyclopedia
The Tollense is a river
in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northeastern Germany
, right tributary of the Peene
. The river starts as the outflow of the lake Tollensesee
in Neubrandenburg
. The Tollense is 68 km long and empties into the river Peene
in Demmin
.
have been found in the region named "Tollensetal" (Tollense valley) since 1997. Many showed signs of serious injury and violent death. Starting in 2008, archaeological study of the site narrowed-down to an area of two square kilometers. Hundreds of bone fragments belonging to more than 90 persons, as well as wooden weaponry and flint arrowheads, have been discovered. These findings were possible due to the preservation of the former swamp ground and the fact that the Tollense has never really changed its course. It is now estimated that about 200 people died in a battle-like scenario in the valley about 1250 BC. Since the population density
then was about 5 people per square kilometer, this would have been the most significant battle in bronze period Germany yet to be discovered. Plans for a further investigation of the site have been made for the years 2010 to 2015.
The Tollense Valley site may be the earliest known major Bronze Age battle site, with a date of around 1200 BC. Fractured skulls unearthed at the site suggest face-to-face combat, possibly between warring tribes. Most of the remains appear to be from young men and some of the injuries seem to have occurred immediately before death. The bodies do not appear to have been buried in a normal ceremony and instead were dumped in the river. Horse bones were also found at the site and a fractured thigh bone suggest a fall from a horse.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northeastern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, right tributary of the Peene
Peene
The Peene is a river in Germany. The Westpeene, Kleine Peene and Ostpeene flow into the Kummerower See, and from there as Peene proper to Anklam and into the Oder Lagoon....
. The river starts as the outflow of the lake Tollensesee
Tollensesee
Tollensesee is a lake in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It belongs to the Mecklenburg Lake District. At an elevation of 14.8 m, its surface area is 17.4 km². Its maximum depth is about 33 m. The lake is 10.4 km long and between 1.5 and 2.5 km wide....
in Neubrandenburg
Neubrandenburg
Neubrandenburg is a city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, on the shore of a lake called the Tollensesee ....
. The Tollense is 68 km long and empties into the river Peene
Peene
The Peene is a river in Germany. The Westpeene, Kleine Peene and Ostpeene flow into the Kummerower See, and from there as Peene proper to Anklam and into the Oder Lagoon....
in Demmin
Demmin
Demmin is a town in the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It was the capital of the former district Demmin.- Name :...
.
Presumed Tollense battle site
According to reports in the German media, human remains from the Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
have been found in the region named "Tollensetal" (Tollense valley) since 1997. Many showed signs of serious injury and violent death. Starting in 2008, archaeological study of the site narrowed-down to an area of two square kilometers. Hundreds of bone fragments belonging to more than 90 persons, as well as wooden weaponry and flint arrowheads, have been discovered. These findings were possible due to the preservation of the former swamp ground and the fact that the Tollense has never really changed its course. It is now estimated that about 200 people died in a battle-like scenario in the valley about 1250 BC. Since the population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
then was about 5 people per square kilometer, this would have been the most significant battle in bronze period Germany yet to be discovered. Plans for a further investigation of the site have been made for the years 2010 to 2015.
The Tollense Valley site may be the earliest known major Bronze Age battle site, with a date of around 1200 BC. Fractured skulls unearthed at the site suggest face-to-face combat, possibly between warring tribes. Most of the remains appear to be from young men and some of the injuries seem to have occurred immediately before death. The bodies do not appear to have been buried in a normal ceremony and instead were dumped in the river. Horse bones were also found at the site and a fractured thigh bone suggest a fall from a horse.