One of the most intriguing battles of the ancient ages happens at the Tollense Valley in northern Germania, c 1300 BCE. For sheer size the battle is the greatest of its type thus far.
The aggressors are two groups of warlike people feeling claustrophic in the North. They want to expand empires and territories and gain a monopoly on trade routes.
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The battle takes place about 120 km (74.5 mi) north of Berlin, in Brandenburg Germany. One of the opponents is a branch of the dominant Urnfield Culture, which covers most of Europe at the time. The others are strangers in town, possible migrants from the East.
They might also be associated with the Lusatians, whose Empire extends south from the shore of the Baltic and occupies part of present-day Germany. Both Lusatian and Urnfield people are aggressive in their quest for dominance.
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In the 13th century BCE the North is getting crowded. In ancient days the temperature is slightly milder than today. People are eating better and develop resistence to common ailments.
From domesticated animals comes milk, butter, cheese, with calcium for stronger bones and teeth. Lactose intolerance appears in a varying percentage of the population. It's thought humans evolved to tolerate milk products of animals such as goats, sheep and cattle.
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Fruit such as plums, cherries and grapes can be grown even in Scandinavia. Coastal waters are a bounty of herring, mackerel, cod and other edibles. Displaced citizens join the northern push. Settlements grow.
At the same time, people are becoming more healthy and population increases. More nutritous food, warmer clothing, stability characterized by seed breeding and animal husbandry, lead to new knowledge. While the average age is still under 30, disease and infant mortality rates decline.
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Advanced weapons, defenses and acquisition of new skills leads to an increase in warlike behavior as the neighbors get too close for comfort. It all comes to a crunch in the Tollense Valley in the 2nd millenium BCE.
The battlefield is immense, taking up the Tollense River Valley for several thousand meters on each side of the river. Countless bone fragments and artifacts of stone, bone and metal indicate a full-scale event of violence.
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Initially it's thought up to 4,000 soldiers and warriors take part. Arrowheads of flint, wooden clubs, animal bones, metal daggers and swords are all used as weapons.
The battle is over in one day. Later evidence ups the number of participants to a possible 5,000 with 20 - 25% mortality rate. Most of the bones are male, 20 - 40 years of age, but bones of women and other age demographics are also found. Over 13,000 bone fragments have been identified.
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The Tollense Valley Battle is considered a possible causal factor in the overall collapse of the Bronze Age. Partial skeletons show healed or healing wounds, such as concussions, indicating the people involved in the battle are seasoned warriors.
Weapons used in the battle include spears, clubs, swords, knives, sickles and arrows. Over 40 skulls have been found, one pierced by a bronze arrowhead, others with massive injuries.
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More than 50 bronze arrowheads have been unearthed so far. Stone is also used in abundance. Wooden shafts have decayed but provide some insight on dating. Early evidence of tin working appears in the oldest tin finds in Germany.
Bronze artifacts have also been discovered in the river. Bones of at least five horses have been excavated, the animals having been ridden into battle. No swords are found at the scene, although judging from bone analysis and historical precedent, they were used. It's thought the bodies were robbed of material goods after the battle.
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The area is central to a number of trade roads, on a small river and not far from the seafaring routes, a prime location which might have sparked the battle. Who controls the way to the coasts controls travel and trade, a position of financial and territorial power.
Findings of weaponry suggest a warrior class exists as a higher rank than those of commoners. Mounted, they carry weapons of bronze and assume the roles of officers.
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The immensity of the Tollense Valley battlefield and battle has never before been seen. The area isn't well populated in early times, with scattered homesteads on a broad delta plain.
Thus up to 5,000 people arrive here under established leadership, are fed, take instruction and fight in patterns of organized warfare. Archaeologists may still be exploring the surface of this unparalleled event in the history of Europe.
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About the same time in history as the unprecedented Battle of the Tollense Valley, the Hittites and Egyptians make the first peace treaty in the world. One of the women involved is the Hittite Queen Puduḫepa (Puduhepa). The other is Nefertari, Queen of Egypt.
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