Using high-resolution sub-bottom profiling and diver-led surveys, researchers have mapped a submerged Neolithic settlement off the coast of the Greek island of Melos. Dating to approximately 6,000 BCE, the site served as a specialized hub for the processing and trade of obsidian, the volcanic glass highly prized for making sharp tools and weapons in the prehistoric Aegean.
The underwater survey revealed distinct 'industrial zones' with massive piles of obsidian debitage and semi-finished blades, suggesting a large-scale export operation. The settlement's presence confirms that maritime trade routes in the Mediterranean were far more organized and economically significant during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition than previously believed, with Melos serving as the primary supplier for the entire region.