Ancient Undersea Wall Dating to 5800 BCE Found off French Coast
A massive 7,000-year-old undersea wall has been discovered off the coast of Brittany, France, shedding new light on Stone Age coastal societies.
Ancient Undersea Wall Dating to 5800 BCE Found off French Coast
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of a huge submerged wall dating back to around 5800 BCE off the coast of Brittany, France. The structure, located near the Île de Sein, measures approximately 120 meters (394 feet) in length and is accompanied by a dozen smaller man-made constructions from the same period.
A Monument Beneath the Waves 🌊
Divers uncovered the wall during an underwater survey, revealing a remarkable feat of engineering from the Stone Age. The wall is composed of large stones carefully arranged, suggesting it may have served as a protective barrier, fishing aid, or territorial marker for early coastal communities.
Scientists believe the structure was built by societies that thrived along the Atlantic coast before being submerged due to rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. This discovery adds weight to theories that legends of “sunken cities” in Brittany may have roots in real prehistoric settlements.
Archaeological Significance 🏺
Yvan Pailler, professor of archaeology at the University of Western Brittany, emphasized the importance of the find:
“This is a very interesting discovery that opens up new prospects for underwater archaeology, helping us better understand how coastal societies were organised.”
The wall’s age—around 7,000 years old—places it among the oldest known large-scale constructions in Europe, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Its preservation underwater offers archaeologists a rare glimpse into how early humans adapted to changing environments.
What Comes Next
Researchers plan further dives and mapping to determine the wall’s exact purpose and to explore the smaller associated structures. These could reveal details about daily life, trade, and survival strategies of Neolithic communities in western France.
The discovery also highlights the growing importance of marine archaeology in uncovering human history. As sea levels continue to rise today, submerged prehistoric sites remind us of the long-standing relationship between humans and the ocean.
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