Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a prehistoric maritime trade route connecting the Cycladic islands to the North African coast, dating back to 4000 BCE. By analyzing the geochemical signatures of malachite fragments found in Neolithic Greek settlements and comparing them with obsidian deposits from the Aegean, researchers have identified a consistent exchange of semi-precious minerals and high-quality stone tools across the Mediterranean.
This 'Obsidian and Malachite' seaway suggests that early seafaring technology was far more advanced than previously thought, capable of navigating deep-water crossings. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, posits that these early networks laid the foundations for the complex maritime civilizations of the Bronze Age. The discovery of North African malachite in the Cyclades indicates a sophisticated level of inter-continental resource management during the late Neolithic period.