Baltic Sea

• Archaeologists have identified what may be Europe’s oldest human-made megastructure, submerged 21 metres below the Baltic Sea in the Bay of Mecklenburg, Germany.
• This structure – which has been named the Blinkerwall – is a continuous low wall made from over 1,500 granite stones that runs for almost a kilometre.
• The evidence suggests it was constructed by Palaeolithic people between 11,700 and 9,900 years ago, probably as an aid for hunting reindeer.

A different landscape

• At the time of its construction, the landscapes and seascapes of northwest Europe were very different from today.
• Herds of reindeer, European bison and wild horse migrated across its sparsely forested landscape.
• The identification of the Blinkerwall now demonstrates that Palaeolithic hunters were managing their landscape to aid their hunting activities more deliberately than was previously thought.
• Construction of walls and other features in the landscape is familiar to us, particularly in the context of land enclosure for farming.

Supporting evidence

• One archaeological site from Germany that supports this interpretation is Stellmoor, located just north of Hamburg and which dates to the latest time that the Blinkerwall could have been constructed.
• The hunting evidence at Stellmoor shows the reindeer were shot by arrows as they were driven down the valley into the lake.

• While there is no archaeological evidence at Stellmoor to suggest people had deliberately created or changed the landscape to enhance their hunting success, it shows how the topography of the landscape was used to the hunters’ advantage.
• The Blinkerwall construction provides evidence that Palaeolithic people took this level of planning and coordination a step further.
• The Bay of Mecklenburg has the potential to reveal further archaeological evidence of equal significance.

Stephanie Piper does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• The vessel, named "Koyo Maru", is scheduled for handover to Nippon Salvage in June 2024 following completion of outfitting work and sea trials.
• The vessel has a length overall (LOA) of 80.6 meters and beam of 15.5 meters, with gross tonnage of approximately 3,000.
• With the construction of this vessel, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will contribute to the various salvage activities carried out in seas around the world, as well as environmental conservation.

• Schleswig-Holstein claims the top spot as the most visited state in 2023.
• In 2023, the states situated along the Baltic Sea and North Sea garnered the highest influx of travellers.
• Among these, Schleswig-Holstein stood out as the preferred destination for German tourists, owing to its pristine beaches and timeless charm.
• As we consistently adapt to the evolving needs of our guests, our dedication to providing outstanding holiday experiences remains unwavering.

• As mentioned in our last quarterly update1, there are numerous new political and legislative initiatives to support mining and processing of critical raw materials in the EU.
• Additionally, there are signs that bifurcated markets are developing for battery materials, those from China and those of Western origins.
• These results confirm our belief that this is a high prospective exploration project with potential for both scale and high-grade mineralization.
• The annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ending October 31, 2023, is expected to be published on or about January 24, 2024.