Scientists have found an 8,500-year-old human settlement under the sea near Denmark. This small city went underwater when the last Ice Age ended. As huge
ice sheets melted, the sea levels rose and covered the city. The city, sometimes called the Stone Age Atlantis, was discovered in Denmark’s Bay of Aarhus. Archaeologists dug a small area of about 430 square feet and found stone tools, arrowheads, animal bones, and a piece of wood that may have been a tool. These findings show that people once lived here and had organised ways of life. Underwater archaeologist Peter Moe Astrup said the place is like a “time capsule”, because it is under the sea without oxygen– due to which everything is perfectly preserved. For this place, “time just stopped.” Scientists believe the sea may be hiding more clues about how people lived in the Mesolithic era. They hope to find fishing tools, harpoons, and other objects that show how humans survived on the coast. The discovery helps researchers understand what people ate, the tools they made, and how they adapted when the world around them changed. This discovery comes from a six-year project worth $15.5 million , where scientists are exploring the bottom of the Baltic and North Seas. The mission aims to explore sunken Stone Age settlements in Northern Europe. This summer, researchers went 26 feet under the sea near Aarhus and used a special underwater vacuum to collect hidden artifacts. They carefully scanned every part of the area and pieced together the objects to learn about the people who lived there. Next, scientists plan to excavate two more locations in the North Sea, which will be harder because of the sea’s conditions. By studying these ancient settlements, researchers hope to learn how humans adapted to rising sea levels and changing coastlines, which can help us tackle similar challenges today.
