Obsidian Artifacts Found off Italy Coast Were From Neolithic Era Cargo [Report]

Several mysterious artifacts were discovered underwater. According to an expert, it could be evidence of a Neolithic wreck.

Ancient Artifacts From Neolithic Wreck?

The underwater remnants, composed of a substance known as obsidian, were discovered in October by divers from the Naples Police's underwater section close to the island of Capri.

The Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape (SABAP) for the Naples Metropolitan Area states that the obsidian items are located near the Grotta Bianca, or White Grotto, a sea cave on the island's shore, on the seabed at a depth of 100 to 130 feet.

The obsidian objects might have been on Neolithic or New Stone Age ships.

The range of dates associated with this phase of human development varies based on one's geographical location. The Neolithic Period roughly covered the years 7000-2000 B.C. across Europe. But the dates are more accurately between 6000 and 3500 B.C. in the Capri region of the central-western Mediterranean.

The discovery would be highly significant if there is proof of a Neolithic wreck, per Sean Kingsley, editor-in-chief of Wreckwatch magazine. However, as of yet, no genuine Neolithic vessel components have been discovered at the location, and some specialists have advised caution when interpreting the obsidian objects.

"Finding a Neolithic wreck would be mind-blowing," Kingsley added. "If any extensive cargo and crew's belongings survive, the discovery would become one of the top five underwater strikes of all time. For now, the jury is out, however."

Kingsley said the recent finding was an intriguing discovery that makes sense. He also admitted that they wondered if there were other wreckages, if it was an isolated case of jettison, or if it was just a ritual gift to the gods from Neolithic people.

Sandro Barucci, a researcher who has written books on ancient seafaring, added that while the latest find is "undoubtedly very interesting," care must be taken to rule out the possibility that the obsidian objects are part of the cargo of a boat that capsized off the coast of Capri.

Moreover, thorough technical analyses by qualified archaeologists are necessary before discussing the "Neolithic" subject. Furthermore, he doesn't think this could have been completed in such a short amount of time.

Neolithic societies could sail, but as larger ships had not yet been invented, their ship was believed to have been modest.

Obsidian Handaxe Factory Discovered in Ethiopia

While working on a Paleolithic site in the upper Awash Valley of Ethiopia, a team of researchers from various Spanish institutions, two colleagues from France and one from Germany, discovered a handaxe buried in a layer of sediment.

They found more of the item, so it wasn't scarce. All but three of the 578 handaxes they gathered were made from obsidian rocks, indicating that the surrounding material dates back about 1.2 million years.

During the Stone Age, stone tools were the primary tool used by early humans. It ended about 5,000 years ago when people in the Near East started using bronze to make tools and work with metals. It lasted for about 2.6 million years.

Traditionally, flint was used, but more recently, obsidian- a kind of volcanic glass- has been utilized. Evidence of an obsidian handaxe knapping workshop was found. According to researchers, it was established much earlier than any other workshop.

Check out more news and information on the Neolithic in Science Times.