7,000-year-old Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technology

Researchers have revealed the remarkable maritime capabilities of Neolithic communities residing along the Mediterranean shores over 7,000 years ago.

7,000-year-old Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technologyExcavation of Canoe 5. Credit: J.F. Gibaja et al, PLoS ONE 2024

Led by archaeologists from the Spanish National Research Council in Barcelona, the investigation focused on the discovery of five intricately crafted canoes at the Neolithic lakeshore settlement of La Marmotta, located near Rome, Italy.

These canoes, meticulously constructed from hollowed-out trees between 5700 and 5100 BCE, showcase a level of technological sophistication previously unrecognized in prehistoric watercraft. Crafted from four distinct types of wood – Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula, Quercus sp, Alnus sp, and Tilia sp – these vessels exemplify advanced construction techniques, including transverse reinforcements that enhanced durability and maneuverability.

One of the canoes featured three T-shaped wooden objects, believed to have been used for securing ropes tied to sails or other nautical components. The presence of stone tools linked to nearby islands further supports the hypothesis that these canoes were indeed seaworthy vessels, capable of traversing open waters.

7,000-year-old Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technologyCanoe Marmotta 1, On display in the Museo delle Civiltà in Rome. Credit: J.F. Gibaja et al, PLoS ONE 2024

“Analysis of these boats reveals that they are built from four different types of wood, unusual among similar sites,” said Dr. Juan Gibaja, a co-author of the study. He emphasized the advanced construction techniques employed.

Moreover, the diversity of wood types used in crafting these canoes suggests a nuanced understanding of material properties among ancient boat builders. Oak, prized for its durability, and alder, known for its lightweight and resistance to cracking, were strategically utilized in the construction process.

7,000-year-old Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technologyCanoe Marmotta 1, On display in the Museo delle Civiltà in Rome. Credit: J.F. Gibaja et al, PLoS ONE 2024

Dr. Gibaja remarked, “Similarities between these canoes and more recent nautical technologies support the idea that many major advances in sailing were made during the early Neolithic.”

La Marmotta’s submerged archaeological treasures suggest that these canoes may have embarked on voyages beyond Lake Bracciano, possibly reaching distant shores. The presence of exotic artifacts, including Greek pottery and obsidian tools from distant islands, attests to the extensive maritime interactions of Neolithic communities.

7,000-year-old Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technologyCredit: J.F. Gibaja et al, PLoS ONE 2024

Researchers anticipate further discoveries near La Marmotta, presenting promising avenues for future exploration and understanding of prehistoric seafaring. Dr. Gibaja emphasized, “Direct dating of Neolithic canoes from La Marmotta reveals them to be the oldest in the Mediterranean, offering invaluable insights into Neolithic navigation.”

The study has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.

More information: J.F. Gibaja et al. (2024). The first Neolithic boats in the Mediterranean: The settlement of La Marmotta (Anguillara Sabazia, Lazio, Italy). PLoS ONE 19 (3): e0299765; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299765

Related Posts

The oldest mummies in the world: ancient Southeast Asian burials rewrite early human history

The oldest mummies in the world: ancient Southeast Asian burials rewrite early human history

Archaeologists in Southeast Asia have unearthed what may be the oldest mummies in the world, dating back as far as 12,000 years. The pre-Neolithic burials, found throughout…

Sardinian figurines reveal Bronze Age metal trade and wide connections

Sardinian figurines reveal Bronze Age metal trade and wide connections

A recent international study has explained the history of Sardinia’s iconic bronzetti statues, showing previously unknown facts about Bronze Age metallurgy and long-distance trade in the Mediterranean….

350-year-old mummified head in Switzerland traced to Bolivia’s Aymara people after new study

350-year-old mummified head in Switzerland traced to Bolivia’s Aymara people after new study

A mummified head housed in Switzerland for more than a century is rewriting what experts thought they knew about its origins. For many years, the remains—consisting of…

New study shows Britain’s economy did not collapse after the Romans left

New study shows Britain’s economy did not collapse after the Romans left

A new study has indicated that Britain’s industrial economy did not collapse with the Romans’ withdrawal, but instead continued for centuries, and actually reached its major revival…

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

In a breakthrough find, an Egyptian archaeological team has unearthed a previously unknown and intact copy of the Canopus Decree, which dates back to 238 BCE. The…

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

New research has demonstrated that the majority of people buried in monumental mounds in northwestern Brandenburg, Germany, around Seddin, were not locals but individuals believed to have…