Archaeologists in Central Serbia have discovered an exceptionally large fortified settlement belonging to the Neolithic Vinca Culture. The site, which covers nearly 50 hectares, is surrounded by a triple-ditch system and timber-reinforced earthen walls, indicating a level of social organization and defensive planning previously thought rare for this period.
Inside the perimeter, excavations revealed standardized 'multi-room' houses with plastered floors and central hearths. A cache of terracotta figurines and ritual masks was found in a central building, suggesting the settlement served as a regional religious and political hub for the early European farming communities.
The find is significant for its state of preservation, with several structures showing evidence of 'ritual burning,' a common but mysterious practice where the Vinca people intentionally set fire to their homes before building new ones on top of the debris.