DISCOVERY OF A 300-METER-LONG SUBMERGED NEOLITHIC STRUCTURE OFF THE COAST OF PAŠMAN

A preliminary underwater archaeological survey of a submerged Neolithic site located between Neviđane and the islet of Školjić off the coast of Pašman has been completed.

PHOTO: FB - Odjel za arheologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru

The research was carried out as part of the Croatian Science Foundation project “Submerged Neolithic Sites in the Underwater Areas of the Croatian Adriatic”, led by Mate Parica from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, the University announced, as reported by Index.

Underwater archaeologists identified an impressive artificially constructed structure more than 300 meters long, now lying at a depth of about five meters.

Radiocarbon analyses show that the construction dates back to around 4700 BC, a period when the sea level of the Adriatic was more than five meters lower than today. 

According to initial assumptions, a Neolithic community built a large settlement on this isolated area using enormous quantities of stone, although the reasons for establishing a settlement separated from the coastline remain unknown.