On the German coast, there is a structure known as Kivivalli that consists of over 1,500 stones arranged side by side, stretching nearly a kilometer in length.
In Mecklenburg Bay of the Baltic Sea, one of Europe’s largest ancient stone structures has been discovered. This structure, which now lies at the bottom of the bay, dates back to the Stone Age, potentially over 10,000 years ago. The sea has since engulfed the entire structure, but the stone wall remains rather intact at a depth of about 21 meters near the German coast.
Archaeologists and researchers believe that this stone wall was used by hunter-gatherers during that time to trap deer, elk, and other animals for food. The stone rampart was strategically located at the edge of a lake or swamp area and followed the coastline. This allowed the hunters to drive herds of ungulates into a confined space, potentially driving them into the water where they were then killed.
Researchers have created a 3D model of the rubble from the time when it was still on dry land and near water. The game probably consisted of deer and European bison. Although the hunter-gatherers of the area lived in small groups, larger groups could gather at the lake when, for example, deer arrived in the area. At that time, there were perhaps around 5,000 people living in the area of Northern Europe.
The stone wall is among the oldest man-made hunting-related structures ever found. At the same time, it is one of the largest Stone Age structures in Europe. The wall consists of a dozen large stones that weigh tons and more than 1,500 smaller stones. The stones are mostly less than one meter high and less than two meters wide. According to the researchers, the stone wall was built by connecting large stones with chains of smaller stones.
The Kivivalli sank into the nascent Baltic Sea about 8,500 years ago and has since remained untouched beneath the waves. The discovery of this stone structure increases archaeologists’ understanding of the development of the ancient western Baltic Sea region, says geophysicist Jacob Geersen from the University of Kiel, who led the research team.
By using accurate hydroacoustic imaging, Geersen specified the size and shapes of the stone wall. This technology makes use of echoes from the water, allowing for an accurate picture of the seabed. Robots were also brought to the bottom to help estimate the extent of the rampart, which was then 3D modeled.
The discovery was made by chance in 2021 when a group of students from the Baltic Sea Research Institute in Warnemünde, Germany were practicing using new equipment with Geersen. They mapped the seabed with versatile sonar about ten kilometers from the small town of Rerik, which is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Upon returning a year later, Geersen and other researchers concluded that the rocks were not just a natural formation. It was only after consulting with archaeologists that they realized the significance of the discovery.
