Underwater archaeologists using high-frequency sonar have identified a submerged Neolithic trade depot off the coast of Lipari, Sicily, dating back 4,500 years. The site, currently sitting at a depth of 40 meters, consists of a series of stone-built storage platforms and a small artificial breakwater designed to shelter ancient seafaring vessels.
Divers recovered hundreds of kilograms of pristine volcanic obsidian, still neatly stacked as if prepared for export. Chemical analysis confirms the obsidian originated from the Lipari volcanic vents, suggesting this site was a primary logistical center for the distribution of stone tools across the Mediterranean. This discovery provides the first physical evidence of a permanent, specialized maritime infrastructure dedicated to trade during the transition from the Neolithic to the early Bronze Age.