Archaeologists have uncovered a submerged stone bridge in a Spanish cave, providing evidence that human colonization of the western Mediterranean occurred much earlier than previously believed.
According to a report by The Independent, the discovery was made on the island of Mallorca, the sixth largest in the Mediterranean Sea.
The 25-foot bridge, found in a flooded cave passage near the coast of Mallorca, has been dated to approximately 6,000 years ago. This finding pushes back the timeline of human settlement on the island by more than 1,600 years compared to previous estimates. The discovery challenges long-held beliefs about the chronology of human activity in the region and offers new insights into early human capabilities.
The submerged bridge was found in a cave system that had flooded due to rising sea levels over time. Researchers were able to date the structure using calcium-rich deposits and light-colored bands that had formed on the bridge. These formations serve as indicators of historical sea-level changes and provide crucial information for determining the age of the human-made structure.
Prior to this discovery, the most solid evidence of human settlement on Mallorca dated back to about 4,400 years ago. While some studies had suggested human presence as far back as 9,000 years, these claims were often debated due to inconsistencies in the evidence. The newly discovered bridge represents the earliest uncontested proof of human activity on the island, significantly altering our understanding of Mediterranean prehistory.
The presence of the bridge and other artifacts found in the cave suggests a sophisticated level of early human activity on Mallorca. Researchers believe that the ancient settlers recognized the importance of water resources in the cave and strategically constructed infrastructure to navigate the environment. Study co-author Bogdan Onac commented on the significance of the find:
The presence of this submerged bridge and other artefacts indicates a sophisticated level of activity, implying that early settlers recognised the cave's water resources and strategically built infrastructure to navigate it.
This level of planning and construction demonstrates that the early inhabitants of Mallorca possessed advanced knowledge and skills, challenging previous assumptions about the capabilities of prehistoric Mediterranean societies.
Interestingly, the new timeline of human settlement on Mallorca coincides with other significant events in the island's ancient history. One such event is the extinction of Myotragus balearicus, a species of goat-antelope that was endemic to the Balearic Islands.
The correlation between human arrival and the disappearance of this native species suggests that early human activity may have had a more substantial impact on the island's ecosystem than previously thought. This alignment of events provides a more comprehensive picture of the island's prehistory and the interplay between human settlement and environmental changes.
The discovery of the submerged bridge opens up new avenues for research in Mediterranean archaeology and paleoclimatology. Scientists plan to apply similar methods to explore other cave systems in the region, with the goal of uncovering more evidence of early human activity and gathering data on prehistoric sea levels.
By studying caves that formed millions of years ago, researchers hope to identify pre-industrial sea levels and examine the impact of modern climate change on sea-level rise. This interdisciplinary approach combines archaeology, geology, and climate science to paint a more detailed picture of human history and environmental change in the Mediterranean.
Dr. Onac emphasized the importance of collaborative research in uncovering historical truths:
This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in uncovering historical truths and advancing our understanding of human history.
The discovery of the 6,000-year-old submerged bridge on Mallorca has significantly altered our understanding of Mediterranean prehistory. This finding pushes back the timeline of human settlement on the island by over 1,600 years and demonstrates the advanced capabilities of early settlers. The discovery aligns with other historical events and opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research in archaeology, geology, and climate science. As scientists continue to explore submerged cave systems, more revelations about human history and environmental changes are expected to emerge.
