Discovery of 7,000-Year-Old Canoes in Italy Redefines Neolithic Seafaring

Archaeologists uncover evidence of advanced nautical technology, suggesting extensive Mediterranean trade and navigation during the Neolithic era.

A series of excavations near Rome, Italy, have unearthed five canoes dating from 5700 to 5100 BCE, marking them as the oldest boats found in the Mediterranean.
The canoes, constructed from hollowed-out trees, exhibit advanced construction techniques, including transverse reinforcements and potential sail attachments.
Evidence suggests these Neolithic communities used the canoes for extensive trade and transportation across the Mediterranean, significantly earlier than previously believed.
The discovery challenges existing theories about Neolithic navigation and trade, indicating a sophisticated understanding of maritime technology.
The site at La Marmotta, now submerged under Lake Bracciano, offers invaluable insights into the technological and social organization of early agricultural and pastoral communities.