People were navigating the Mediterranean in “technologically sophisticated” canoe-like boats more than 7,000 years ago, reveals new research.
Excavations at an archaeological site in Italy recovered five of the vessels made with “amazing technological sophistication” from hollowed-out trees.
The canoes date from between 5700BC and 5100BC and are the oldest in the region.
Scientists say that it was evident that communities travelled and traded across the water during the Neolithic period, some 6,000 years ago, as evidenced by boats already in the archaeological record and the presence of settlements on coasts and islands.
But the new study of the canoes found at the Neolithic lakeshore village of La Marmotta, near Rome, provides new insights into the history of seafaring technology.
Study co-author Dr Juan Gibaja said: “Analysis of these boats reveals that they are built from four different types of wood, unusual among similar sites.”
“And they include advanced construction techniques such as transverse reinforcements.”
“One canoe is also associated with three T-shaped wooden objects, each with a series of holes that were likely used to fasten ropes tied to sails or other nautical elements.”
“These features, along with previous reconstruction experiments, indicate these were seaworthy vessels, a conclusion supported by the presence at the site of stone tools linked to nearby islands.”
The research team described the canoes as “exceptional examples” of prehistoric boats whose construction required a “detailed understanding” of structural design and wood properties as well as well-organised specialised labour.
Dr Gibaja, of the Spanish National Research Council, said: “Similarities between these canoes and more recent nautical technologies support the idea that many major advances in sailing were made during the early Neolithic.”
The researchers believe there may be more boats preserved near La Marmotta, a potential avenue for future research.
Dr Gibaja added: “Direct dating of Neolithic canoes from La Marmotta reveals them to be the oldest in the Mediterranean, offering invaluable insights into Neolithic navigation.”
“This study reveals the amazing technological sophistication of early agricultural and pastoral communities, highlighting their woodworking skills and the construction of complex vessels.”
The findings were published in the journal PLoS One.
