Recent archaeological discoveries on the island of Malta have shed new light on the seafaring capabilities of ancient peoples. Malta, located in the Mediterranean Sea, was once considered a remote island due to its distance from the nearest landmass, Sicily. However, excavations conducted by archaeologist Eleanor Scerri and her team revealed evidence of human occupation on the island dating back 8500 years ago.
The discovery of ash from hearths, stone tools, and butchered deer bones in a sinkhole in northern Malta challenges previous assumptions about the ability of Stone Age hunter-gatherers to navigate wide spans of ocean. The findings, published in Nature in April 2025, suggest that these ancient peoples were not only capable of reaching remote islands like Malta but also thriving as hunter-gatherers in the region.
For much of the 20th century, scholars believed that humans only reached islands relatively recently, with exceptional navigation skills required to settle remote Pacific islands like Hawaii and Rapa Nui. However, recent archaeological evidence from Malta and other regions suggests that seafaring may have been a more widespread practice among ancient hunter-gatherer communities.
The discovery of ancient boats, such as the Pesse canoe in the Netherlands dating back 10,000 years, and remnants of reed boats in Kuwait from about 7000 years ago, challenges the notion that seafaring was a more modern occupation associated with farming communities. The presence of early boats in regions like Italy and Kuwait indicates that hunter-gatherers may have been using watercraft to travel between islands and coastal regions long before the advent of agriculture.
Archaeologists like Stephanie Blankshein from the University of Southampton suggest that islands such as the Hebrides in western Scotland were visited by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers as early as 10,000 years ago. The presence of distinctive stones from specific islands on mainland Britain indicates that ancient peoples were actively moving between these locations, further supporting the idea of early seafaring capabilities among hunter-gatherer communities.
Overall, the archaeological discoveries on Malta and other regions challenge traditional views of ancient seafaring and raise important questions about the extent of prehistoric voyages, the origins of seafaring practices, and the capabilities of early humans to navigate vast bodies of water.
When it comes to seafaring in prehistoric times, the challenges were immense. The seaways were often treacherous, with rapid currents and powerful tides that made navigation difficult. Despite these obstacles, ancient humans managed to traverse these waters, reaching distant islands and continents through their seafaring skills.
One of the key regions where evidence of prehistoric seafaring has been found is the Mediterranean. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts that suggest early humans were voyaging between islands in this region over 13,000 years ago. One notable discovery was the presence of obsidian from the island of Melos in the Franchthi cave in Greece, indicating that hunter-gatherers were making regular trips to and from the island.
However, it is in South-East Asia and Australasia that some of the most ancient evidence of long-distance seafaring has been found. Around 70,000 years ago, modern humans began to leave Africa and explore new territories. They eventually reached the Malaysian peninsula, which was connected to islands like Borneo, Sumatra, and Java due to lower sea levels during a glacial period. From there, they ventured further east towards Australia and New Guinea, which were part of a landmass called Sahul.
Archaeological findings in Australia and New Guinea suggest that humans were present in these regions over 50,000 years ago. Excavations on the Raja Ampat islands west of New Guinea have revealed evidence of human habitation dating back 55,000 years, indicating that people were voyaging across the seas in this region during ancient times.
Further evidence of prehistoric seafaring comes from islands like Flores and Luzon in Indonesia and the Philippines. The discovery of unique populations of hominins like Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis on these islands suggests that ancient humans were able to navigate the waters to reach these isolated landmasses. Stone tools dating back over a million years found on Sulawesi provide some of the oldest evidence of hominins in the region, hinting at seafaring activities by early human ancestors.
These findings challenge our understanding of early human migration and suggest that seafaring was a crucial aspect of our species’ ability to explore and settle new territories. By pushing back the timeline of prehistoric seafaring to over a million years ago, researchers are uncovering new insights into the capabilities and ingenuity of ancient humans in navigating the world’s oceans.
Recent research has shed new light on the ancient seafaring capabilities of our early hominin ancestors. While it has long been assumed that early humans lacked the ability to navigate large bodies of water, evidence is beginning to suggest otherwise. Excavations at the cave site of Latnija by the scientific consortium led by Professor Eleanor Scerri have revealed intriguing clues about the maritime activities of ancient hominins.
One of the key debates in the field of paleoanthropology is whether early hominins, such as the hobbits, had the ability to intentionally cross large bodies of water or if such crossings were purely accidental. Dr. Cherry and Dr. Gaffney believe that we cannot definitively say one way or the other. They argue that accidental rafting events, where hominins were swept out to sea on floating vegetation after floods, could explain how they ended up on distant islands.
Dr. Cherry points to examples in the animal kingdom where species have been carried across oceans on floating rafts of vegetation. He mentions the case of monkeys that were carried from Africa to South America millions of years ago, a journey that required crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Similarly, a study published in 2025 revealed that iguanas made an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean from North America to Fiji around 30 million years ago.
Dr. Gaffney emphasizes the need for multiple intentional crossings to infer purposeful seafaring. While accidental rafting events may explain isolated instances of hominins ending up on islands, intentional crossings, like those made by modern humans to Australia around 60,000 years ago, suggest deliberate navigation. The ability to build watercraft, such as rafts, would have been crucial for such journeys.
While there is no direct evidence of ancient boats from tens of thousands of years ago, researchers believe that early humans had the technological capabilities to construct rafts. Modern humans had composite technology, allowing them to combine materials like bamboo, resins, and twine to build various tools and structures. Neanderthals, in particular, have been shown to possess similar capabilities, such as the ability to make twine or cordage.
Evidence from the Ionian Islands in Greece suggests that Neanderthals may have been seafaring as early as 110,000 years ago. Stone tools found on islands like Crete, Gavdos, and Naxos have been tentatively dated to between 130,000 and 700,000 years old, indicating possible Neanderthal presence in these areas. These findings challenge the traditional view of early hominins as landlocked beings and suggest a more complex relationship with maritime environments.
In conclusion, while the question of ancient seafaring abilities remains open to debate, recent discoveries are reshaping our understanding of early hominin navigation and exploration. The evidence points to a more nuanced view of our ancestors as adaptable and resourceful beings capable of venturing into the open sea. Further research in this area promises to uncover even more fascinating insights into the maritime history of humanity. The discovery of ancient sea crossings by early humans and Neanderthals sheds light on the remarkable abilities and cooperative nature of our distant ancestors. Archaeological evidence suggests that these seafaring journeys were made as early as 200,000 years ago, indicating a level of planning, foresight, and courage that is truly impressive.
According to experts like Runnels and Gaffney, the construction of boats for long-distance travel would have required careful preparation and collaboration among individuals. This not only speaks to the intellectual capabilities of early humans but also underscores their ability to work together towards a common goal.
The act of setting sail across vast bodies of water also highlights the bravery and adventurous spirit of prehistoric peoples. While modern reconstructions of Viking ships may feel sturdy, the thought of embarking on a perilous journey in a simple hide-skin boat would have been daunting for most individuals. Yet, our ancestors took these risks, venturing into the unknown and exploring new territories far beyond the horizon.
One notable example of such seafaring expeditions is the journey to Malta over 8500 years ago. This voyage required a leap of faith, as the travelers had no guarantee of what they would find on the other side. Despite the uncertainty, these early explorers navigated the waters with courage and determination, ultimately spreading their influence to various corners of the globe.
The presence of hominins on remote islands raises questions about the survival of small populations in isolated environments. While some may argue that a small group would struggle to breed and eventually die out, ecologists suggest the concept of “extinction debt,” where species can persist for generations despite facing eventual extinction.
This phenomenon may offer insights into the unique characteristics of island hominins, such as the diminutive stature of the hobbits of Flores and Homo luzonensis on Luzon. It is theorized that limited genetic diversity in founding populations could lead to evolutionary adaptations that result in unusual physical traits.
In conclusion, the ancient sea crossings undertaken by early humans and Neanderthals reveal a fascinating chapter in our evolutionary history. These daring voyages not only showcase our ancestors’ ingenuity and cooperation but also highlight their willingness to take risks and explore uncharted territories. Through their brave endeavors, our distant relatives left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire us today. The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
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