Tollense Valley | Europe's First Battle (Bronze Age History Documentary)

Thanks for watching! Please hit "like" and share the video around - it helps me out SO much. And if you enjoy my videos please consider supporting the channel: Patreon ➜ www.patreon.com/dandavisauthor My books ➜ amzn.to/3xngwz5 Check out this accompanying Patreon-exclusive post on the high hunter-gatherer ancestry in some of the Tollense Valley DNA samples: www.patreon.com/posts/hunter-gatherers-56604642

When I went to school some 50 years ago, the Bronze Age was portrayed as a Middle Eastern thing. Even the Mycenaeans were not mentioned except as a half-mythical past referenced by the Iron Age Greeks. I grew up believing Europeans were fur-clad reindeer hunters until the light of civilization spread from Egypt via Greece and Rome to finally reach Western Europe. Today we know that the real prehistory of Europe was far more complex and fascinating. Or at least some of us know, and hopefully with the help of your videos, some more people will get a glimpse of a world almost lost in the fog of time.

I watched a documentary about this site and never thought about it again. You have given it more life in 20 minutes than those attempting to make an entire documentary about it were able to. Thank you for your channel and keep up the amazing work!

Definitely one of my pre battle thoughts would be “I’d rather die by the sword than be clubbed by that bloody Shillelagh!”

It’s the obscurity of it all that gets me, I can imagine chieftains on both sides promising immortal glory and eternal veneration for their men if they win. Now we don’t even know who they are

I like how you stress the things which we simply don't know.

This video is like a dream for me. I've been fascinated by Bronze Age trade routes for more than 20 years, and this is the most comprehensive explanation of routes and items traded that I've seen or heard of so far. I guess I have to check out the sources and read a few more books. Thanks for putting this together. Love it.

Fascinating, it shows that Early Europe was a fluid, ever changing world back then even before recorded history was collected. It could make a nice TV series if more details were available.

The battle at Alken Enge in Denmark was around the same time as this one. And it was also a well equipped army vs poor local farmers. A whole generation of local people died in that battle. They can see how many farming fields turned into thick forrest in the decades after the battle. And, we know nothing about the reasons for the battle either. Our local museum have the bones and weapons from the warriors on show.

Love these videos Dan! Having a professional author like yourself as a presenter of history goes a long way in adding a depth of narrative that truly makes history gripping. Looking forward to the next one!

I was already impressed with the video but my approval skyrocketed when you went on and on about what we DON'T KNOW and MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN WRONG after telling us what we DO KNOW. That is rare to see and thus precious. I stand a new subscriber, and probably a Patreon shortly.

Excellent. All this history we've lost, none recorded for the ages.

THIS. IS. FASCINATING. I've always been intrigued by ancient cultures, and I wonder often how many incredible stories they had to tell that just got lost to the flow of time. And wouldn't you know it, but I'm also writing fantasy and sci-fi! So yeah, I think I might have just stumbled across a new favorite channel. Thanks Dan! *proceeds to binge these videos with reckless abandon*

I love that you are able to blend the uncertainty inherent in archaeology with storytelling. This video was very well done.

The part that showed me what an incredible scholar you are, made me nearly forget the bit that showed you an awesome poet.

GREAT Video !!!

Mad respect to you Dan. You are a man to look up to. I am shocked one single individual can be so damn good at both scholarship, artistry and communication. Your name will live on, your ancestors are honoured and proud. I trully hope you are getting all the glory, gold, women and followers you deserve. Thanks for your immense contribution to the spread of knowledge among us lay folks. Your content is nothing short of a treasure. Also, your books are real page turners, I am addicted to it.

There is a rich full history of man that occurred before our known history. I believe the rule of ten applies. Whatever you think ancient man did, times it by at least ten. Nice video.

The Mycenaeans conquered Europe’s largest city at the time, Knossos in 1450 BC

As always fantastic Dan. So much to think about in scenarios with this much heaped evidence. The truth of the matter can never be ascertained but only snippets glimpsed.