Ancient Submerged Bridge Reveals Early Human Settlement in the Western Mediterranean
Ancient Submerged Bridge Reveals Early Human Settlement in the Western Mediterranean
The Mystery of Early Human Arrival in the Western Mediterranean
A submerged 25-foot bridge in a cave on the Spanish island of Mallorca has provided groundbreaking insights into the early human colonization of the western Mediterranean. Recent research led by geologists from the University of South Florida has revealed that humans settled in this region much earlier than previously believed. This discovery, published in Communications Earth & Environment1, challenges long-held assumptions about the timeline of human migration and settlement across the Mediterranean islands.
The Quest to Understand Early Mediterranean Colonization
Reconstructing the timeline of early human settlement on Mediterranean islands has always been a complex task, given the limited and often fragmented archaeological evidence available. However, the study of a 25-foot submerged bridge within Genovesa Cave on Mallorca has offered new clues that narrow the gap between the settlement timelines of the eastern and western Mediterranean regions.
The research team, led by Professor Bogdan Onac of the University of South Florida, utilized a multidisciplinary approach to uncover evidence of early human activity in Genovesa Cave. This cave, situated near the coast of Mallorca, contains passages that have been submerged due to rising sea levels. Within the cave, the team found distinct calcite encrustations formed during periods of high sea level, as well as a light-colored band on the submerged bridge. These geological formations serve as proxies for tracking historical sea-level changes and provided critical data for dating the bridge’s construction.
A New Understanding of Early Settlement in Mallorca
Mallorca, the sixth-largest island in the Mediterranean, has historically been considered one of the last islands in the region to be colonized by humans. Previous studies suggested that humans may have been present on the island as far back as 9,000 years ago. However, the radiocarbon dating of materials such as bones and pottery found in the area was inconsistent, casting doubt on these early estimates. More recent research, which analyzed charcoal, ash, and bones, indicated a timeline of human settlement beginning around 4,400 years ago, aligning with significant environmental events, such as the extinction of the native goat-antelope species Myotragus balearicus.
The new study by Onac and his team pushes this timeline back even further. By analyzing mineral overgrowths on the submerged bridge and the elevation of a coloration band, the researchers determined that the bridge was constructed nearly 6,000 years ago. This finding suggests that humans were active in the region more than two thousand years earlier than previously thought, effectively narrowing the timeline gap between the settlement of eastern and western Mediterranean islands. Onac explained,
"The presence of this submerged bridge and other artifacts indicates a sophisticated level of activity, implying that early settlers recognized the cave's water resources and strategically built infrastructure to navigate it.”
Implications for the Study of Human Migration and Settlement
The discovery of this ancient bridge in Genovesa Cave underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in unraveling the complexities of early human history. By combining geological analysis with archaeological evidence, the research team was able to advance our understanding of when and how humans first settled in the western Mediterranean.
The implications of this research extend beyond the specific case of Mallorca. It suggests that early human populations in the Mediterranean were more widespread and mobile than previously believed, with the capacity to build and use infrastructure to adapt to their environments. This discovery contributes to the broader narrative of human migration and adaptation, offering new insights into how early humans navigated and settled across diverse landscapes.
Continuing the Exploration of Human History
Supported by several National Science Foundation grants, this research involved extensive fieldwork, including underwater exploration and precise dating techniques. The collaboration between the University of South Florida, Harvard University, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Balearic Islands exemplifies the power of combining expertise from multiple disciplines to uncover new historical truths.
Looking ahead, Professor Onac and his team plan to continue exploring cave systems in the region, some of which contain deposits that formed millions of years ago. These investigations aim to further refine our understanding of preindustrial sea levels and examine the impact of modern greenhouse warming on sea-level rise. Such research is crucial for not only reconstructing the past but also for informing our understanding of current and future environmental changes.
The discovery of the submerged bridge in Genovesa Cave represents a significant advancement in the study of early human settlement in the Mediterranean. It challenges previous assumptions and opens new avenues for research into the migration and adaptation of early human populations. As the investigation into these ancient mysteries continues, the story of human history in the Mediterranean is being rewritten, one discovery at a time.
Onac, B. P., Polyak, V. J., Mitrovica, J. X., Ginés, J., Gràcia, F., Fornós, J. J., Ginés, A., & Asmerom, Y. (2024). Submerged bridge constructed at least 5600 years ago indicates early human arrival in Mallorca, Spain. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01584-4