Researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting ancient humans may have lived in a cave on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca far earlier than once believed. This finding comes after the discovery of an ancient underwater bridge, estimated to be around 6,000 years old. The bridge, originally spotted by scuba divers in a submerged cave back in 2000, is made up of large limestone blocks and spans 25 feet (7.6 meters). This discovery reshapes our understanding of human settlement on the island, indicating it occurred much earlier than previously thought.
New Dating Techniques Uncover the Bridge’s True Age
At first, pottery fragments discovered near the site indicated that the bridge dates back approximately 4,400 years. However, recent analysis led by University of South Florida geology professor Bogdan Onac has adjusted that timeline. The team used advanced dating techniques, focusing on calcite deposits, or speleothems, which formed as sea levels changed over time. This analysis led researchers to conclude that the bridge dates back approximately 6,000 years, extending the known timeline of human presence on Mallorca by 1,600 years.
The Significance of This Discovery
This new evidence suggests humans arrived on Mallorca much earlier than once thought, challenging the belief that it was among the last Mediterranean islands to be inhabited. Researchers believe further studies are needed to explore why settlement on Mallorca may have lagged behind other islands, such as Cyprus and Crete. One theory is that early humans may have initially avoided Mallorca due to limited resources, such as arable land, essential for sustaining a population.
