The discovery was made on a famous Mediterranean island and could rewrite what is known about the region’s earliest inhabitants.
The Mediterranean has always been a focus of interest both for its rich biodiversity and for its historical, archaeological and geological value.However, a recent finding in the Majorca Island has generated great expectations among scientists, since could rewrite what is known about the region’s early inhabitants.
A team of geologists found a 7.6-meter-long bridge, dating back almost 6,000 years, submerged in a cave on the islandThis discovery is surprising because until now It was thought that humans had arrived in Mallorca much later. The discovery forces reconsider previous theories on the beginnings of human activity in the area.
What scientists determined about the submerged bridge
Initially, researchers believed that the bridge had been built about 4,400 years ago. However, after performing analyses on the minerals present in the deposits, It was determined that the structure was erected 5,600 years ago, confirming human presence in Mallorca much earlier than expected.
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Determining the exact moment when humans began inhabiting the island has been a major goal for science, but the lack of written records has made this task difficult. Despite these challenges, the discovery of the bridge not only provided key information, but also Other signs of an early human presence were also found in the same cave.
It is important to note that The bridge is under water due to rising sea levels over time, which caused the cave to be completely flooded.
What was its function?
This bridge, composed of large limestone blocks, It may have served as a dry passage, connecting two areas of the island. According to geologists, The structure was used for about 400 or 500 years before being completely covered by water.
Geology Mediterranean 1.jpg
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Despite these advances, scientists still face a big question: Why, while other Mediterranean islands were inhabited, did Mallorca remain empty for so long? Some theories suggest that the climate played a key role, but further research will be needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Source: Ambito
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