New & now
Groundbreaking! New discovery reveals Malta was reached by hunter-gatherers over 7,000 years ago
This is over a millennium before the arrival of the first farmers!

Lyndsey Grima

A groundbreaking archaeological discovery is rewriting the history of human settlement in Malta. Contrary to long-held beliefs that the islands were only inhabited following the advent of agriculture, new research has revealed that hunter-gatherers reached Malta more than 7,000 years ago - over a millennium before the arrival of the first farmers.

The findings, recently published in Nature, are the result of a collaborative study led by Professor Eleanor Scerri of the Max Planck Institute and the University of Malta, alongside Professor Nicholas Vella of the University of Malta.

Their work provides the earliest evidence of long-distance seafaring in the Mediterranean, suggesting that these early humans crossed over 100 kilometres of open sea, without sails, possibly using dugout canoes.

Reaching Malta would have required advanced navigation skills, relying on sea currents, stars, and visible landmarks. Even in summer, parts of the journey would have taken place in complete darkness.

Excavations at Għar Latnija cave in Mellieħa revealed a range of artifacts, including stone tools, hearths, and food remains. The presence of red deer, tortoises, and large extinct birds points to a rich and varied diet. Remarkably, remains of seals, groupers, crabs, sea urchins, and thousands of cooked shellfish highlight the community’s marine foraging skills.

The project was supported by Malta’s Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and funded by the European Research Council and the University of Malta.

What do you make of this discovery?

10th April 2025


Lyndsey Grima
Written by
Lyndsey Grima
Lyndsey has always been passionate about all things content. She keeps her storytelling skills sharp by exercising physically as she’s a fitness buff and also mentally as she enjoys reading and travelling.

You may also like...
New & now
New & now
New & now
Skip the traffic, not the strawberries!

Francesca Vella
New & now
New & now
New & now
If you're searching for some hiking inspo, look no further

Francesca Vella