A groundbreaking study recently published in Comptes Rendus Géoscience has revealed the existence of ancient human migration routes submerged beneath the sea, shedding new light on how early humans traveled between Africa and Eurasia. The research, led by Professor Jerome Dobson from the University of Kansas, employed advanced sea-level reconstruction models to explore submerged landscapes that once served as vital corridors for human movement. The team’s exploration, involving experts from the University of Bologna and the University of Urbino, focuses on coastal areas such as Egypt and the Red Sea, where significant land once existed but has since been erased by rising sea levels after the last ice age.
The Concept of “Aquaterra” – Submerged Landscapes
The term “aquaterra,” coined by Dobson, refers to the vast submerged landscapes that were once part of Earth’s surface during the last ice age. These areas were crucial for early human migration and settlement but disappeared as sea levels rose, submerging crucial land bridges. The term helps us understand how early humans navigated between continents and settled in new regions. According to the study, “We hope this enables people to see and explore the landscapes that were exposed during the last ice age.” These submerged regions provide a new perspective on human history, offering clues about migration routes that have been lost for millennia.
One of the most significant revelations from the research is the reconstruction of ancient coastlines using advanced sea-level models. The team used Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) models to simulate how Earth’s crust responded to glacial melting and sea-level changes, ultimately providing a detailed map of the now-submerged land. The SELEN4 model allowed the researchers to accurately reconstruct coastlines across regions like the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Nile Valley, highlighting areas that were once inhabited by early humans and essential to their migrations.
Mapping the Routes of Early Human Migration
The research team reconstructed several migration routes that early humans likely traveled between Africa and Eurasia. The study identifies key corridors that early humans could have used, including paths from Foul Bay to the Nile River, overland routes across the Isthmus of Suez, and sea routes through the Sicily and Messina Straits. These maps, generated from the sea-level models, offer a clearer understanding of how early humans navigated the vast landscapes connecting Africa and Eurasia.
The genetic evidence supporting these routes is equally compelling. Dobson stated, “The early human haplotype center appears to be in northeast Sudan. That wasn’t a shock, somewhat expected by the DNA experts who discovered it. There were clear connections going up into the Levant.” This genetic data aligns with the mapped migration routes, reinforcing the idea that ancient humans moved across these regions over 30,000 years ago. Genetic analysis, particularly through ancient DNA lineages, has long supported the theory of migration corridors through these areas, and this new research brings these findings into clearer focus.
Submerged Cities and Lost Settlements
One of the most intriguing aspects of the study involves the discovery of submerged coral reefs and the potential existence of ancient cities beneath the sea. Foul Bay, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, was once a major crossing point for migrating humans. The researchers hypothesize that Foul Bay could have been home to a lost city, referred to as “Berenice Aquaterra,” which might have served as an important port long before the Greco-Roman city of Berenice Troglodytica.
The maps examined by the research team reveal confusion regarding the location of Berenice, with historical maps showing the city in varying positions around Foul Bay. This supports the idea that rising sea levels may have submerged the city, causing it to shift over time. Dobson and his colleagues noted the unusual abundance of patch coral formations in the bay. They suggest these reefs may have grown atop ancient stone buildings or structures, lost to time. “The unusual abundance of patch coral formations in Foul Bay raises new questions about human settlements,” the researchers stated, calling for more in-depth investigation into these submerged remains.
New Insights into Ancient Egyptian Origins
The study also presents a fresh perspective on the origins of early Egyptian civilization. Previous archaeological studies have often focused on the south-to-north migration theory, with early Egyptians believed to have originated from the southern Nile Valley. However, the sea-level reconstruction models reveal a possible migration corridor from Foul Bay to the Nile River, bypassing the Suez crossing. This challenges traditional theories and suggests that Upper Egypt may have had stronger connections with the Red Sea coast than previously thought.
Dobson emphasized this shift in understanding, suggesting that “Archaeological literature often emphasizes the southern route across the Bab el-Mandeb, but the maps they produce show little connection between the western and eastern sides of that divide.” The team’s findings point to the potential for new archaeological discoveries in regions previously overlooked due to submersion. By examining submerged land and ancient coastlines, researchers hope to uncover new chapters of early human history and explore areas that were once vital to the movement and settlement of early civilizations.
The Call for Urgent Underwater Exploration
The findings of this study have sparked a renewed interest in underwater archaeology, especially in the areas around Foul Bay and the Suez Canal. The researchers have called for urgent application of a detailed five-step research process, including sea-level mapping, geospatial modeling, and excavation, to investigate these submerged migration routes. “We advocate urgent application of this five-step process to the Suez and Foul Bay crossings,” they concluded, stressing the need for a deeper investigation into these ancient regions that have long remained hidden beneath the ocean.
With advancements in mapping technology and underwater archaeology, scientists now have the tools to explore what was once lost to time. This research not only offers new insights into human history but also highlights the importance of preserving submerged archaeological sites that hold the key to understanding early human migration and settlement. The ocean holds many secrets, and with the right technology and methodology, these hidden lands can be explored once again.
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