Geologists uncover ancient submerged bridge in Mallorca, Spain
- Researchers from the University of South Florida have dated a submerged bridge in Mallorca to nearly 6,000 years ago.
- The study indicates that human life in Mallorca may have begun 2,000 years earlier than previously thought.
- The preservation of the bridge is attributed to its submerged state, which protected it from environmental damage.
A recent study led by the University of South Florida has revealed that a submerged bridge in Genovesa Cave, Mallorca, dates back nearly 6,000 years, significantly earlier than the previously estimated 3,500 years. This finding suggests that human presence on the island may have begun around 2,000 years earlier than previously believed. The research team utilized mineral overgrowth on stalactites and coloration bands to determine the bridge's age, indicating its construction occurred before the sea level rose above it. The underwater location of the bridge has played a crucial role in its preservation. Being submerged has protected the limestone structure from environmental factors that could have led to its deterioration if it had been exposed to the air. The limestone blocks used in the bridge's construction were likely sourced from cave breakdowns, and the flooding has served as a protective measure against potential damage from tourism and other elements. The implications of this discovery are significant, as it narrows the timeline of human colonization in the Mediterranean region. The research indicates that the colonization of islands in the eastern Mediterranean began approximately 13,000 years ago, and this new evidence places Mallorca's colonization closer to that timeline. Published on August 30, 2024, in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the study not only sheds light on the history of human life in Mallorca but also emphasizes the importance of underwater archaeology in uncovering ancient civilizations and their interactions with the environment.