Mesolithic Hunter-Gatherers Settled Malta Earlier Than Expected

Archaeological excavations at the Latnija site in Malta, led by Professor Eleanor Scerri and her team, have unearthed compelling evidence that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers settled the island around 8,500 years ago. This finding pushes back the timeline of human settlement in Malta by nearly 1,000 years and challenges the conventional view that Neolithic farmers were the first to colonize the island.

The team's research revealed stone tools made from local limestone, charred hearths, ash-tips, and the bones of wild fauna, indicating that these early settlers were skilled hunters and gatherers who exploited marine resources. The discovery suggests that these hunter-gatherers were capable of long-distance sea voyages, navigating at least 100 kilometers of open water to reach Malta. This challenges the notion that such maritime capabilities were exclusive to later agricultural societies.

Prior to this discovery, it was believed that hunter-gatherers generally avoided small, remote islands like Malta due to the limited resources and the challenges of sustaining a population through hunting and gathering alone. However, the evidence from Latnija suggests that these early Maltese hunter-gatherers adapted to the island environment and thrived by utilizing a diverse diet of marine and terrestrial resources.

Furthermore, the research raises questions about the impact of early human settlement on the island's unique ecosystem, including the extinction of endemic animals like dwarf elephants and hippos. Understanding the ecological consequences of early human arrival is crucial for informing contemporary conservation efforts and addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss.

It rewrites the history of Malta and demonstrates that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers possessed advanced maritime skills and were capable of settling remote islands much earlier than previously believed.

The researchers used standard archaeological techniques, including the study of stone tools and the analysis of sediments and organic materials found at the Latnija site.

Scientists believe that Malta was slightly larger, cooler, and wetter than it is today, with valleys covered in vegetation and diverse wildlife.

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