A submerged rock bridge discovered in a Mallorca cave challenges previous timelines of human settlement on the island. Dating back approximately 6,000 years, the 25-foot-long structure suggests humans inhabited Mallorca much earlier than the previously estimated 4,400 years ago. This groundbreaking research was recently published in Communications Earth & Environment.
The bridge’s existence, along with other artifacts found within Genovesa Cave, points to a surprisingly sophisticated level of activity by early inhabitants. According to Bogdan Onac, a member of the research team, the settlers likely understood the cave’s significance as a water source and constructed the bridge to facilitate access to its resources. Previous estimates of human arrival on Mallorca were based on animal bones and pottery discovered in the cave’s far chamber. However, this new research focused on dating speleothem overgrowths, formations that develop precisely at sea level. By analyzing these overgrowths, the team accurately reconstructed past water levels in the cave, revealing when the bridge would have been built.
Overgrowths on speleothems in the cave.Overgrowths on speleothems found within the Mallorcan cave provided critical data for accurately dating the submerged bridge and reconstructing historical water levels. Image: M.À. Perelló
Constructed from limestone blocks, the bridge connects two elevated chambers within the cave. It isn’t the sole evidence of human activity, however. An ancient stone path also exists at the cave’s entrance, leading down to the underwater lake. Onac further revealed that the cave’s water level has risen significantly over the past century and is predicted to continue rising due to climate change and glacial melt.
The cave’s precise function—ritualistic, shelter, or other purposes—remains uncertain, as the research primarily concentrated on documenting water levels over the last 180,000 years. This study exemplifies innovative approaches to tracing human migration patterns. Early human settlements on islands often left subtle environmental traces. In Genovesa Cave, with its poorly preserved pottery, dating the mineral overgrowths provided crucial insights.
This discovery resonates with recent findings elsewhere. Just recently, research indicated earlier-than-expected human arrival on a South Pacific island, based on the analysis of human-altered tree resin, potentially used for fuel. This underscores the importance of exploring diverse methods to refine our understanding of human history.
This Mallorcan find highlights how geological analysis can unlock secrets of human migration, offering a more nuanced picture of our past. The 6,000-year-old submerged bridge now serves as a testament to the ingenuity of early settlers and a reminder of the constantly evolving narrative of human history.
