How Is Technology Uncovering Ancient Secrets in the Baltic Region?

The use of modern technology is helping to uncover ancient secrets and shed light on how people lived in the past. The Baltic region is no different in this respect, with some great examples of how the latest tech is being used to let us see some of the most interesting aspects of the past. 

Baltic Traditions and Mythology on the Screen

One of the most useful ways that technology has entered our lives is in the way we can see ancient traditions and mythology conveniently. The Baltic Tribes documentary from 2018 takes a look back at life here in the 13th century while we also see the key elements of the region’s mythology. The importance of the summer solstice is covered in the film as well as the pagan rituals that gave structure to the year. It was well-received and nominated for an award at the Lielais Kristaps National Film Festival the same year.

It’s worth looking at how mythology from other parts of the world has reached areas of entertainment such as when you play online slots for real money. Age of the Gods: King of Olympus and Stone Gaze of Medusa are among the games based on characters from mythology. These slots take the typical approach of several reels with themed symbols, which contain images of Gods and other elements. This type of game could easily be created to include figures like the sons of gods, known as Dieva dēli in Latvia and Dievo sūneliai in Lithuania.

The Huge Underwater Megastructure

Earlier this year, scientists discovered what could be the oldest megastructure in Europe made by humans. Known as the Blinkerwall, it’s a low, continuous wall 21 meters below the water made of more than 1,500 granite stones. Scientists believe it was constructed by Palaeolithic tribes around 10,000 years ago and that it may have been used to help them hunt reindeer.

While the wall can't be seen from the surface, scientists were able to explore it using hydroacoustics, submarine technology, and advanced modeling techniques. The diving team was then able to take underwater photos of the wall to confirm the theory. They discovered close to 300 extremely large stones and many smaller ones completing the barrier.

Unique Culinary Traditions

The most famous Baltic culinary traditions include dumplings, pickles, and beetroot soup. Many of the best-loved foods from the region have a long history but research into the eating habits of hunter-gatherer groups over 6,000 years ago revealed some surprises.

By analyzing fragments of pottery, scientists were able to see very different diets between the groups living in the Baltic region. Even when they had access to the same natural resources, some groups preferred fish while others chose bear, deer, or plants, suggesting that each group already had its own, unique culinary traditions.

These examples let us see how technology is used in different areas to reveal more about the history of the Baltic region. Expect to see more cases like this in the future, as technology lets us find out more about different aspects of past life.