Hallstatt reveals ancient mining waste and early settlement
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Archaeologists in Hallstatt, Austria, discovered prehistoric mining chambers filled with remarkably preserved waste from the Iron Age.
Researchers found the chambers while excavating the Salzberg, a mountain rich in salt deposits. The waste included human and animal excrement alongside food remains, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of people who lived there around 7,300 years ago. These early inhabitants may have been the first settled people in the Alpine region.
The team uncovered tools from the Neolithic period, such as deer antler picks and stone implements, indicating Hallstatt was occupied much earlier than previously believed. The discovered chambers, running parallel to each other within the mine, reach up to nine meters in height and are packed with the ancient refuse. The findings suggest a long history of salt mining in Hallstatt, with evidence of continuous occupation dating back to the early Neolithic period.
Archaeologists plan to present the spectacular finds to the public in the summer of 2025. The well-preserved nature of the waste provides a unique opportunity to study the diet and health of these early miners.
