Ancient Hunter-Gatherers Sailed to Malta 8,500 Years Ago, New Study Reveals
A groundbreaking study published in *Nature* reveals that hunter-gatherers were likely present on Malta 8,500 years ago, predating the arrival of agriculture on the island by nearly a millennium. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the University of Malta unearthed stone tools, hearth fragments, and remnants of cooked food at a site called Latnija in the Mellieħa region, suggesting a complex society engaged in foraging and maritime activities.
Lead author Eleanor Scerri stated that evidence points to the hunting of extinct species, such as Red Deer, alongside marine life like seals and fish. Remarkably, these ancient peoples may have navigated at least 62 miles of open water using simple canoes without sails. Co-author Nicholas Vella emphasized that their maritime journeys likely required skill in using natural indicators for navigation.
The findings challenge long-held beliefs about the timeline of human activity in the Mediterranean and suggest that Europe’s last hunter-gatherers were more adept at seafaring than previously thought.
Malta