LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The story of Malta’s ancient civilization has taken a remarkable turn, as new archaeological discoveries push back the timeline of human settlement on the island by 1,000 years. Researchers have uncovered evidence at Għar tal-Latnija, a cave site in Mellieħa, that challenges previous understanding of Malta’s prehistoric past. These findings indicate that humans first inhabited the Maltese Islands at least 8,500 years ago, a full millennium earlier than previously thought.
The groundbreaking research, led by Professors Eleanor Scerri and Nicholas Vella from the University of Malta’s Department of Classics and Archaeology, has redefined Malta’s place in the prehistory of Europe. The study, which began in 2019, has uncovered evidence of a Mesolithic civilization—hunter-gatherers who thrived on the island during a period long before the advent of agriculture.
Until now, it was believed that Malta’s first settlers were farmers who arrived around 7,500 years ago, marking the dawn of the Neolithic era. However, the latest findings reveal that Malta’s first human inhabitants were, in fact, part of a hunter-gatherer society that arrived on the island much earlier, during the last stages of the European Ice Age. These early people lived off the land by hunting local wildlife and foraging for food, a lifestyle that dominated human history for millennia.
Professor Scerri explains that the people who arrived on Malta around 8,500 years ago were survivors of the last European Ice Age. These early settlers would have encountered a unique, flourishing ecosystem of now-extinct endemic species, such as red deer, tortoises, foxes, large lizards, and a variety of birds that no longer exist today. Their ability to thrive on the island marks a crucial step in understanding the capabilities of ancient humans and their connection to the wider Mediterranean world.
The discoveries at Għar tal-Latnija, which include cooking areas, ashes with remains of cooked food, and stone tools, provide clear evidence of the hunter-gatherer society’s presence. Many of the tools used by these early settlers were crafted from local stone and pebbles found along the shoreline, highlighting the resourcefulness and adaptability of these ancient inhabitants.
One of the most surprising revelations from this research is the realization that these early hunter-gatherers were capable seafarers. The journey to Malta from the mainland of Europe would have required navigating at least 100 kilometers of open water—a feat previously thought beyond the abilities of Mesolithic societies. This new discovery upends previous assumptions about the limitations of late European hunter-gatherers and places Malta at the heart of an intricate web of Mesolithic sea connections that spanned across the Mediterranean.
Professor Scerri emphasizes that Malta, once considered an isolated island, was actually a central hub in a network of Mesolithic societies. These connections, which involved long-distance seafaring, are transforming our understanding of prehistoric human migration and the spread of cultures across the Mediterranean. The hunter-gatherers who reached Malta at least 8,500 years ago were part of a much larger and more dynamic world than previously realized.
The significance of these findings extends far beyond the borders of Malta. The discovery of Mesolithic settlements on the island pushes back the timeline of human settlement in the Mediterranean and offers new insights into the ways hunter-gatherer societies interacted with their environments. The collapse of island endemic species in the Mediterranean, a process that accelerated as humans arrived and exploited the islands, is now better understood in the context of these ancient seafaring societies.
Moreover, the research raises important questions about the broader movements of prehistoric populations. The presence of European hunter-gatherers in Malta—alongside recent discoveries of European hunter-gatherer ancestry in North African farmers—suggests that these early human groups were far more mobile and interconnected than previously thought.
Minister Owen Bonnici, who is responsible for culture, hailed the discovery as a pivotal moment in the rewriting of Malta’s prehistory. “This discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of Malta’s ancient past,” he said. “It is a testament to the extraordinary work of the researchers and the importance of continued investment in archaeological exploration.”
The research was funded by the European Research Council’s IslandLab StG grant and the University of Malta Research Excellence Award. It has already sparked global interest, with the findings being published in the prestigious journal ‘Nature’.
As the research continues, Professor Scerri and her team are eager to further explore the Għar tal-Latnija site and uncover even more about Malta’s deep prehistory. With so much still to learn, it is clear that Malta’s ancient past is far more complex and interconnected than anyone had imagine
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