Archaeological investigations indicate that coastal and underwater cave locations in southern Sicily hold valuable new insights regarding the journey and experiences of early human settlers on the island.
Recent archaeological investigations conducted by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis indicate that coastal and underwater cave sites in southern Sicily possess significant new insights into the journeys and experiences of early human settlers on the island.
A comprehensive study published in PLOS ONE examines the findings from 25 caves and rock shelters. Many of these were initially discovered between 1870 and the 1990s but have largely fallen into obscurity since then. The study also involved fresh land and underwater surveys in previously uncharted coastal regions, resulting in the discovery of three new locations with potentially significant archaeological deposits.
“Our goal is not just to identify the first person who arrived, but to pinpoint the first community,” explained Ilaria Patania, an assistant professor of archaeology in the Arts & Sciences department. “Gaining insight into the timing of the initial colonization of Sicily is crucial for understanding the patterns and methods of early Homo sapiens’ expansion into the Mediterranean.”
Many researchers believe that Sicily may have been the first island in the Mediterranean to be continuously inhabited by human ancestors, but the details of how and when this migration occurred remain unclear. Although Sicily is less than two miles from the Italian mainland, the crossing would have presented significant challenges for early humans.
Previous research has largely concentrated on potential entry points along the island’s northern coast.
“This study illustrates how fresh perspectives can unveil previously hidden patterns,” said T.R. Kidder, the Edward S. and Tedi Macias Professor of anthropology at WashU and a co-author of the study.
“Earlier researchers presumed that sites along Sicily’s southern coast would have been too eroded or damaged to provide valuable information,” Kidder stated. “However, the discovery of underwater sites opens up an entirely new area for exploration. It allows us to reconsider the migration pathways of these early modern human ancestors.”
Perilous sea crossing
As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is situated just off the “toe” of Italy’s boot.
In the ancient Greek epic “Odyssey,” Homer narrates how Odysseus navigated past the legendary sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis while crossing the Strait of Sicily. This strait was notorious among sailors of past eras, who attributed its treacherous waves and whirlpools to fearsome creatures.
In contemporary times, thousands of migrants from North Africa attempt to traverse the strait every year, with many failing to reach their destination and some capsizing just a few hundred meters from shore.
Patania, a Sicilian native, possesses a profound respect for the ocean’s might. Her grandfather was a fisherman who worked along the same beaches she now researches.
“From a young age, I learned that the sea could be a rich resource,” she remarked. “Yet at the same time, one should never underestimate the sea’s dangers.”
This concept complements her scholarly work. “I am deeply interested in how humans occupy marginal settings,” Patania explained. “In these environments, if conditions are favorable, we can live in perfect harmony with nature. However, changes—whether due to global climate change or smaller factors like the introduction of a new species—could lead to disaster.”
Experts agree that humans arrived in Sicily roughly 16,000 years after the last glacial maximum. This timeline raises questions since humans are believed to have migrated into Siberia about 30,000 years before that. Such a gap has led some researchers to speculate that humans may have reached Sicily far earlier than current estimates suggest.
Furthermore, it remains unclear whether these early inhabitants reached Sicily by sea or on foot via a land bridge, nor do scholars know the direction from which they came.
“A key challenge in understanding the spread of early modern human ancestors lies in our incomplete knowledge of how they dispersed and settled across the globe during early times,” Kidder commented. “As Ilaria notes, this environment is highly marginal. Did they migrate south from Italy across the Straits of Messina, advance from the African coast, or perhaps hop between islands in the Mediterranean? Discovering sites along the southern coast enables us to explore various migration routes and behavioral patterns.”
Focus on the ocean
Patania spearheads a long-term initiative dedicated to investigating the early occupation of Sicily. “In southeast Sicily, very few Upper Paleolithic sites have been excavated using scientific methodologies,” she stated.
“Although our project is still in its initial phases, we have already pinpointed and evaluated over 40 sites of significance, with about 17 of them being accurately relocated based on earlier identifications,” Patania added.
To prepare for their recent cave explorations, she and her team combed through records at local libraries in Sicily, studying historical bulletins and news articles dating back to the 19th century.
The researchers identified potential locations, examined records, and reviewed photographs of artifacts collected by local amateur archaeologists. When feasible, they spoke with individuals involved in past excavations, as well as local divers and fishermen.
For instance, one co-author of the new study is a retired tugboat captain. Despite lacking formal scientific training, he spent decades working on vessels around the Port of Augusta.
“Once I expressed that I was searching for paleosols, and described them as clay-like soils that could appear red or gray underwater, he immediately knew what I meant,” Patania recounted.
Patania also collaborated with the superintendent of cultural and natural heritage for Siracusa and Ragusa (two Sicilian provinces) and the superintendent of the sea of Sicily to engage additional local experts and stakeholders.
As their research has progressed, Patania has also spoken with officials within the Italian navy about training members of their specialized diving team to assist in identifying underwater archaeological features. These divers frequently operate in local waters as part of their regular duties involving the removal of war-related debris from World War II.
“We have commenced our work near the shore and will gradually venture further into the sea in upcoming years,” Patania explained.
Ongoing excavations
According to the study in PLOS ONE, two of the newly identified locations may show signs of Upper Paleolithic human habitation, including fossilized animal remains.
Located at Sicily’s southernmost tip, Corruggi was first identified by researchers in the 1940s.
“This site may have encompassed a second land bridge connecting Sicily with Malta,” Patania noted.
“When we examined Corruggi, we discovered teeth from a European wild ass and various stone tools,” she explained. “By analyzing findings from this site, we may gain insight into the final stages of human migration to the southern coast of Sicily and toward Malta.”
During the summer of 2024, members of the project team initiated excavations at another site, a cave known as Campolato.
“Here, we have identified evidence indicating sea-level fluctuations due to the last glaciation and a localized earthquake that is still under investigation,” Patania mentioned.
“Our goal is to not only reconstruct the timeline of human habitation but also understand the environment these individuals inhabited and how they adapted to natural occurrences like earthquakes, climate change, and perhaps even volcanic eruptions,” she concluded.
Funding for the Early Occupation of Sicily Project comes in part from The Leakey Foundation, the Rust Family Foundation, and the Archaeological Institute of America, alongside support from various Italian and Sicilian governmental organizations.
