VINČA, Serbia - Europe's First Civilization
From 6000 BC Vinča, on the Danube River in Serbia, was the centre of a vast Neolithic settlement dedicated to farming, metallurgy, pigment production and trade. The early date in this particular region resulted from the spread of agriculture from its origins in the Fertile Crescent, through Cyprus, Anatolia and Greece, then north into the Balkans. Amber from the Baltic and obsidian from the Carpathian Mountains, both found at Vinča, are evidence of its broad trading sphere. This part of the Balkans was rich in copper, and Vinča became the first site of metallurgy in Europe. Later, it also produced bronze, although it is not known from where the tin was sourced. Such was Vinča's significance that during World War 2 the Nazis visited the archaeological site looking for an Aryan connection. Happily, there isn't one. HOW TO GET THERE Both Belgrade and Vinča are on the River Danube. Take the #7