Marine archaeologists using high-resolution sonar have identified the remains of a Neolithic settlement four meters beneath the surface of the Adriatic Sea. Located near the island of Korčula, the site belongs to the Hvar culture and features circular stone foundations and a central paved plaza. Divers have recovered several pieces of finely decorated black pottery and obsidian blades sourced from the Lipari Islands, indicating a sophisticated maritime trade network.
The find is significant for understanding how rising sea levels impacted early European coastal communities. Researchers believe the site was abandoned around 4,800 BCE when the sea breached the natural limestone barriers protecting the village. The anoxic mud covering the ruins has preserved wooden posts and organic remains that are currently undergoing carbon dating to provide a precise timeline of the flooding event.