Exploratory divers near the island of Vis have stumbled upon a hidden cave entrance located 25 meters below the current sea level, containing some of the oldest known depictions of maritime life. The grotto features vivid red ochre paintings of seals, dolphins, and large Mediterranean monk seals, along with abstract symbols that appear to track seasonal migration patterns. These artworks were created during the Upper Paleolithic when the Adriatic was a vast coastal plain before the post-glacial sea-level rise.
The discovery is considered one of the most significant finds in European cave art this century, as it provides a rare glimpse into the spiritual life of early humans who specialized in coastal resources. Special waterproof multi-spectral imaging was used to document the friezes, which have remained untouched for millennia due to the cave's unique anoxic environment. Local authorities are now seeking UNESCO protection for the site to prevent damage from recreational diving.