A long-lost Estonian Iron-Age fortification has been found, according to Arkeonews. While 19th-century written accounts and oral traditions had long hinted at its existence, the 2000-year-old hillfort was identified this month by archaeologists at the University of Tartu using high-resolution terrain mapping tools.
The find, located at Köstrimägi in Tartu County, provides insight into early settlements in the Balkan region. Apparently occupied for only a short period of time, it appears to have been built during a turbulent period era in the region’s history.
The fort’s archictecture is unusual. Covering approximately 16,000 square feet, it is larger than most early hillforts in southern Estonia. It is also remarkable for its stepped rampart system, with shallow ditches between the ramparts. The ramparts are also low; in their original form, they may not have exceeded three feet in height, making them easy to scale.
According to Professor Heiki Valk, a professor at the University of Tartu, “These layered defensive structures are highly unusual for Estonian hillforts. They suggest either external influence or a purpose beyond simple defense.”
Excavations conducted in 2024 uncovered only a handful of artifacts, including tiny pottery fragments, charcoal, and traces of burnt wood. Despite the limited finds, these materials proved crucial for dating the site. Radiocarbon analysis of a handful of fragments of burnt wood date the hillfort to between 41 BCE and 9 CE, indicating an extremely brief occupation.
Deepening the mystery is evidence that the settlement was destroyed by fire. Researchers speculate that the builders may have been strangers to the area—possibly migrants from what is now Latvia, whose low rampart structures are similar to this one—who found themselves in conflict with local communities.
While the fort remains an enigma, archeologists hope that further examination will reveal more information about the site’s builders and their story.
