A joint research team in Albania has uncovered three massive lead-lined bronze cauldrons at a high-altitude sanctuary in the Ceraunian Mountains. The vessels, which can hold over 200 liters each, date back to the 2nd century BCE and were found alongside thousands of animal bone fragments, indicating they were the centerpieces of monumental communal feasts held by Illyrian tribes during the autumn equinox.
Analysis of the interior residue suggests the cauldrons were used to prepare a complex stew of venison and wild herbs, likely consumed during the "Festival of Mountain Unity," a gathering designed to solidify alliances between disparate mountain clans. The use of lead lining—a rare and sophisticated technique for the period—suggests a high degree of technological investment in the maintenance of these recurring cultural celebrations.