Archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) unearthed the remains of an 8,000-year-old rectangular dwelling at the site of Svinjarička Čuka in Serbia. The discovery challenges long-held theories about the mobility of Neolithic populations in the Balkans and suggests that the first settlers established permanent dwellings much earlier than previously thought.
The building, constructed using wickerwork reinforced with wooden posts, is exceptionally well-preserved despite evidence that it once caught fire and partially collapsed. According to The Express, this technique is typical of early agricultural societies and reflects a level of sophistication in building methods during the Neolithic period. The remarkable state of preservation provides crucial information about the architecture and way of life of the first agricultural pioneers in the region.
"This prehistoric dwelling is surprising due to its extraordinary state of preservation," said Barbara Horejs, archaeologist and scientific director of the ÖAW's Austrian Archaeological Institute, in a press release. "Partially collapsed and burned architectural elements covered superimposed floors inside the house, as well as artifacts, tools, and containers scattered in the presumed outer area," she explained, as reported by Newsweek.
The findings at Svinjarička Čuka indicate that the early Neolithic settlers were not nomadic or only seasonally settled but established stable communities with permanent structures. This challenges traditional theories about sedentism in the region, which were based on the widespread presence of pits interpreted as remnants of light shelters. The presence of a solid dwelling suggests a level of permanence previously unrecognized in the study of Neolithic cultures in Southeast Europe.
Evidence from the site reveals that the inhabitants stored grains and seeds in designated areas within the structure, indicating agricultural practices. According to La Vanguardia, the dwelling was not only a home but also a space designed for the storage of food, such as cereals and seeds. This organization around food storage was key for the development of agriculture in Europe and provides deeper insight into the lifestyle of these early agricultural communities.
Svinjarička Čuka is situated in the Balkans region of southeastern Europe and holds importance for the study of Neolithic cultures, notably the Starčevo culture. The Starčevo culture, which spread between 6500 BCE and 3500 BCE, introduced agriculture, domesticated animals, and established semi-permanent villages, representing some of the oldest communities in the region. As GEO France reports, the discoveries contribute to a better understanding of this culture and its influence on subsequent societies in the Balkans.
Excavations at Svinjarička Čuka have been ongoing since 2018 and uncovered several phases of settlement from the early to middle Neolithic period. These findings provide "substantially new data" about settlements in the Balkans, revealing that the Neolithic pioneers built stable houses equipped with structures for storing provisions and cereals. "The discoveries at Svinjarička Čuka provide groundbreaking insights that challenge previous models on settlement development in the Balkans," said Horejs, according to The Express. She added that there is likely much more to discover about the site.
To analyze these elements in detail, the ÖAW team is employing microarchaeological techniques, including the study of sediments, botanical and zoological remains, and chemical analyses of soils. "These techniques allow us to obtain new data on the use of Neolithic houses and the coexistence of humans and animals, key elements for understanding the lifestyle of those who lived 8,000 years ago," Horejs stated.
The discovery at Svinjarička Čuka has implications for understanding the origins of sedentary communities in Europe. The findings contradict the belief that the first inhabitants of Europe were nomadic or only settled seasonally. With the technological tools being used, experts are closer than ever to solving the mysteries surrounding the geographical and cultural origins of early agricultural groups. "We are closer than ever to understanding the origin of agriculture and its impact on the early societies of Europe, thanks to the new research tools," Horejs said.
The research at Svinjarička Čuka is funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF and is additionally supported by the ÖAW, the Agency for Education and Internationalization OeAD, and the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, as reported by HeritageDaily. The ongoing work at the site promises to continue shedding light on Europe's early agricultural societies and the lives of the Neolithic pioneers who shaped the continent's history.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq