A study published in Communications Earth & Environment has revealed that an ancient bridge submerged within Genovesa Cave on Spain’s Mallorca island dates back nearly 6,000 years. This discovery offers new insights into the timeline of human settlement in the western Mediterranean, suggesting that humans occupied the island much earlier than previously thought. The finding could bridge the gap between human settlements in the eastern and western Mediterranean regions.
The submerged bridge, constructed from large limestone blocks, was initially discovered in 2000. At that time, a preliminary study estimated the bridge to be around 3,500 years old based on pottery found in one of the cave’s chambers. However, recent advancements in research methods have allowed scientists to more accurately date the bridge. By analyzing mineral formations and a distinct “bathtub ring” on the structure, researchers have determined that it was built approximately 6,000 years ago.
The bridge’s construction highlights a sophisticated level of early human activity. According to Bogdan Onac, a professor at the School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida and lead author of the study, the bridge and associated artifacts indicate that the early settlers recognized and utilized the cave’s water resources effectively. “The presence of this submerged bridge and other artifacts implies that early settlers strategically built infrastructure to navigate the cave,” Onac explained.
The bridge, which consists of large limestone blocks spanning up to 4.2 feet across, was likely used to create a dry, continuous path connecting the cave’s entrance with a chamber beyond a lake within the cave. Researchers have not yet fully determined the methods used to construct the bridge, but it is believed that it served its purpose for about 400 to 500 years before rising sea levels submerged it.
The study also involved examining light-colored bands on the bridge and calcite encrustations that formed when sea levels were higher. These indicators matched levels where mineral deposits were found, confirming that the bridge was constructed earlier than 5,600 years ago. This precise dating has helped to refine the understanding of when humans first arrived on Mallorca.
The findings challenge previous assumptions about the timeline of human settlement in the Mediterranean and provide a clearer picture of early human activity in the region.
