Underwater archaeologists have discovered the remains of an 8,000-year-old pile-dwelling settlement at the bottom of Lake Ohrid. The site, which dates to the early Neolithic, consists of thousands of wooden stilts used to support houses above the water level, making it one of the oldest such villages in Europe.
The preservation of organic materials, including fishing nets and wooden tools, is exceptional due to the lake's unique chemical composition. Researchers from the Balkan Archaeological Institute believe this site was a major hub for early farming communities transitioning from hunter-gatherer lifestyles in the Mediterranean hinterland.