Archaeologists Baffled by Bronze Age Mega-Fortress Hidden in Mountains, Was 40 Times Larger Than Originally Thought

A massive, 3,000-year-old fortress buried deep in the Caucasus Mountains has completely stunned archaeologists in the scope of unimaginable size, as big as 40 times bigger than was previously estimated, stated Popular Mechanics. The discovery of Dmanisis Gora at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, nestled between two deep gorges, uprooted previous conceptions of researchers about the settlement of people during the Bronze Age.

It wasn't until researchers flew drones over the area to capture it in all its glory that the true scale of this archaeological wonder was understood. "The drone took nearly 11,000 pictures which were knitted together using advanced software to produce high-resolution digital elevation models and orthophotos," said Nathaniel Erb-Satullo, senior lecturer at the Cranfield Forensic Institute, according to Newsweek. The aerial shots revealed an imposing complex of fortification walls, graves, and field systems not previously observable from the ground.

The most impressive thing about Dmanisis Gora, by far, is its highly developed defense system, comprising an inner and outer wall wholly composed of huge, rough boulders. Together, these two barriers—six feet thick—proved unbeatable against anything that came upon them from outside. The length of the outer wall itself spans over half a mile, giving it enough space to provide settlement cover that was supposedly densely filled, according to researchers. The location of the fortress at the boundary between present-day agricultural and pastoral grazing lands suggests it may have been a vital stopping point for ancient groups. This strategic position probably contributed to its growth and importance within the region.

Curiously enough, there are pieces of evidence of both seasonal and permanent occupations; whereas the inner fortress had already been continuously used year-round, the outer settlement seemed to be a place that was inhabited by a somewhat more fluid population. Excavations in recent years have uncovered tens of thousands of artifacts—from broken pottery to animal bones—which give many insights into everyday life behind the fortress walls. However, the relative scarcity of artifacts in the outer settlement has led researchers to suggest that this area might have served as a seasonal gathering place for mobile pastoral groups moving between lowland winter and highland summer pastures.

The find challenges conventional views about the development of ancient cities. While Dmanisi Gora might be of comparable size to many ancient cities, it is nonetheless a very different kind of settlement, one that grew out of relationships between mobile herders rather than settled agriculturalists. This adds a new dimension to archaeological perspectives on early urbanization patterns. By comparing recent drone imagery with declassified Cold War-era spy satellite photos, researchers have also documented how contemporary agricultural practices have affected different parts of the ancient settlement, according to the Independent. This historical comparison has proved invaluable in understanding the site's preservation and transformation over time.