Archaeologists Discover Europe's Oldest Lake Settlement in Albania

Archaeologists from Switzerland and Albania have uncovered what they believe to be the oldest human settlement built on a European lake, located on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Albania. The settlement, dating back between 6,000 and 8,000 years, was an organized community engaged in hunting, farming, and animal husbandry, with wooden stilts supporting houses and artifacts such as bones, copper objects, and intricately carved ceramics found underwater. The exceptional preservation of organic materials due to the underwater location has allowed researchers to learn about the inhabitants' diet and agricultural practices. Lake Ohrid, shared by Albania and North Macedonia, is the oldest lake in Europe, and the settlement in the village of Lin predates similar sites in the Alpine and Mediterranean regions by about 500 years. Radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology have been used to determine the age of the findings, which cover an estimated six hectares, though only about 1% has been excavated so far, with full exploration expected to take decades. Experts believe this settlement played a key role in spreading agriculture and livestock farming across Europe, highlighting the advanced lifestyle and architectural skills of its ancient inhabitants.