Although many of these sites were first identified over a century ago, modern archaeology is only now beginning to uncover the rich history they contain.
Deep beneath the waters off Sicily’s southern coast, researchers have stumbled upon a treasure trove of submerged caves that hold vital clues about ancient human migration across the Mediterranean. These underwater sites, only recently fully explored, provide key insights into how early human populations spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean during a time of significant environmental change.
Although many of these sites were first identified over a century ago, modern archaeology is only now beginning to uncover the rich history they contain. Recent research led by an international team has found compelling new evidence about the movement of early human populations and how they may have spread through the Mediterranean, using Sicily as a stepping stone.
Early Human Settlement on Sicily
Sicily is considered one of the earliest islands in the Mediterranean to host human life, but how and when these early humans arrived has long puzzled scientists. The island is just two miles from mainland Italy, but for early humans, crossing that narrow sea channel thousands of years ago would have been fraught with danger.
“Previous scholars assumed that sites on the southern coast of Sicily would be eroded or too damaged to yield useful information,” explained T.R. Kidder, the Edward S. and Tedi Macias Professor of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) and a co-author of the new study. “But finding underwater sites opens up a whole new terrain to study. It allows us to reconsider routes of migration of these earliest modern human ancestors.”
This reexamination has spurred interest in how ancient human populations, with only rudimentary tools and watercraft, might have made their way to the island.
Decoding Ancient Human Migration
The researchers have painstakingly studied over 25 submerged caves along the Sicilian coast, looking for clues to explain how these ancient people reached and settled on the island. These caves, long thought to be too eroded to yield significant information, are now offering valuable archaeological insights.
One of the most intriguing findings comes from the Corruggi site at Sicily’s southern tip, where researchers uncovered stone tools and animal remains. According to Ilaria Patania, assistant professor of archaeology in Arts & Sciences, this discovery offers new clues about the possible migration route between Sicily and the island of Malta.
“This site is where a second land bridge would have connected this island with the island of Malta,” Patania explained. “Analyzing the remains from this site might give us insight on the very last leg of the human journey south into the southernmost coast of Sicily and off toward Malta.”
These findings are critical in understanding how early humans navigated what would have been a significantly different landscape, potentially using land bridges that have long since disappeared beneath the sea.
New Methods Reveal Old Secrets
The research team’s approach has involved more than just traditional excavation techniques. Patania and her colleagues began by scouring archives in local Sicilian libraries, poring over historical documents that referenced these ancient sites. They also spoke with local fishermen and divers, whose knowledge of the underwater geography proved invaluable.
One surprising source of information came from a retired tugboat captain, who helped lead the team to previously unknown underwater caves. “The moment I said that I was looking for paleosols and that paleosols look like clay dirt that could be red or gray underwater, he said, ‘I know exactly what you are looking for,’” Patania recalled.
Armed with this local knowledge, the researchers were able to identify and explore several new sites, adding valuable data to their understanding of ancient human migration patterns.
Future Expeditions Will Unlock More Secrets
This research is only the beginning. As Patania and her team prepare for further expeditions, they hope to uncover even more caves and better understand the environmental challenges these early settlers faced. By studying the remains of these ancient communities, the researchers aim to reconstruct not just when and how people arrived, but also how they lived and adapted to the ever-changing Mediterranean environment.
“We hope to reconstruct not only the timing of human occupation but also the environment these people lived in and how they negotiated with natural events like earthquakes, climatic and environmental changes, and maybe even volcanic eruptions,” Patania explained.
