Measuring the size of a football field, archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old Neolithic structure. Check out the stunning photos!

In Nowa Obraza, Poland, archaeologists have uncovered a Neolithic structure dated to around 4800 B.C., shedding light on the ceremonial and social practices of Neolithic communities. This discovery offers insights into the complex cultural dynamics of early societies, writes Arkeonews.

The excavations, led by Dr. Lech Czerny from the University of Gdańsk, provided valuable information about the construction and significance of rondels—circular ceremonial centers characterized by concentric ditches and wooden palisades.

These structures, which first appeared in Danube Neolithic societies, served as gathering places for communal rituals, often aligned with astronomical events such as the winter solstice. The find in Nowa Obraza, with a diameter of 112 meters and surrounded by numerous trench systems, stands out due to its size and complexity.

Rondels, prevalent between 4800 and 4500 B.C., symbolized social cohesion and collaboration. The construction process, reconstructed using the chaîne opératoire method, indicates careful planning and significant technical expertise.

Hundreds of people worked on this rondel over several years, and the initial rituals likely served to unite the community. The wooden structures of the site, reinforced with clay and reed roofs, were designed to withstand environmental challenges.

One notable aspect of the rondel is the evidence of a ritual cycle related to its use. The ditches were periodically filled in and reopened, suggesting ceremonies associated with its maintenance and renewal.

The orientation of the entrances towards the cardinal points also indicates that its builders possessed advanced astronomical knowledge, linking ceremonies to solar events.

Artifacts, particularly animal remains and ceramics associated with regions such as North Bohemia or Lower Silesia, point to the rondel's role as a center for social events, festivals, and possibly sacrifices.

These events likely reinforced the community's hierarchy, fostered social ties, and resolved territorial disputes. While some theories suggest that rondels reflected political power, the collective efforts required for their construction indicate egalitarian social structures, possibly managed by groups tasked with preserving ritual knowledge.

The decline of rondels around 4500 B.C. marks significant changes in the Neolithic landscape. This decline may signify internal conflicts or migrations, closing a chapter in the history of Neolithic societies.

The discovery in Nowa Obraza not only enriches our understanding of these ancient communities but also showcases the ingenuity and resilience of early human societies.

We also reported on the remains of a ship sunk by a German torpedo during World War I.