Ancient Discoveries in Russia's Kola Peninsula

Archaeologists from the Institute of History of Material Culture at the Russian Academy of Sciences have made an exciting discovery in the Kola Peninsula, located in the Murmansk region of Russia. They found four settlements dating back to the Late Neolithic Age, which is around the 2nd to 1st millennia BC. These sites are connected to the ancient Scandinavian Gressbakken culture.

Ongoing Excavations

Excavations in this remote area have been ongoing for several years, with archaeologists using special transport to reach the sites. In 2024, they investigated multiple locations and completed the excavation of an early Neolithic dwelling. Near this site, they found the remains of a traditional four-sided pyramid with a flat top, used historically by the Saami people, one of Russia's indigenous groups.

Significant Findings

Inside the dwelling, archaeologists uncovered about 22,000 artefacts, including stone tools and household items. Evgeny Kolpakov, the head of the field expedition, highlighted the importance of these findings. He noted that the Kola Bay area has seen significant industrial development over the past century, which makes the discovery of ancient settlements and camps along its shores remarkable. Despite the challenges, researchers have identified six more sites and settlements from the Stone and Bronze Ages in recent years.