Underwater bridge gives clues to ancient human arrival
Dating mineral deposits in a flooded cave reveals that humans reached Mallorca over 5,000 years ago
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic islands and the sixth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, but despite its size and location research suggests that it was among the last Mediterranean islands to be settled by humans. But exactly when people arrived on the island is a subject of much debate, with current estimates placing it at around 4,400 years ago.
However, an ancient stone bridge in a flooded cave may call that timeline into question. By dating mineral deposits in the cave scientists have given a new window for when they suggest humans actually reached the island — at least 1,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Submerged bridge constructed at least 5600 years ago indicates early human arrival in Mallorca, Spain
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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02799-3
This story originally appeared on: Nature - Author:Dan Fox
