Atlit Yam: In Search of Lost Civilizations Under the Sea
Beginning:
Around 7000 BC, there was a unique mixed settlement along the Levantine coast of Palestine based on fishing, animal husbandry and crop production. This settlement named Atlit Yam is originally an ancient Neolithic village. A unique blend of mixed social systems, this village existed some time back. However, what happened that caused the village to now be located in the abyss of the ocean? What happened to its inhabitants? To know why, let's take a journey into the history behind it.
History of Invention
A winter morning in 1960. As usual, the local fishermen cast their nets on the coast to catch fish. Fishes are caught in the nets of these skillful fishermen. A decaying ancient artifact encased in seaweed is also trapped. At first glance, the artifact seemed to be an archaeological specimen, and they quickly informed the local archaeologists. It didn't take long for the archaeologists to realize that this small sign carried the signal of something great. So, ignoring the severe cold, they went out to the coast. In the first step, he reached the seabed of blue water to survey the area. The decision is not to return to the nest without discovering a thrilling mystery and finding a hidden treasure of archaeological artifacts. And so the research work started with full preparation. Various archeological specimens were found one by one. The archaeological community was shaken.
Shortly after this, in 1984, another group of inquisitive archaeologists set out to search for archaeological remains of an old ship that had been lost at sea near the same coast. Which was led by naval archaeologist Ehud Galili. This ancient village comes into view of Galilee while crossing the area along the Carmel coast of present-day Israel. Then, Maria Pareschi, an archaeologist from the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, took his hand and started studying it. Various information comes out. Through carbon dating, it is known that the age of this sunken village is between 8,900-8,300 years!
 |
| Yam sunk by the sea; Image Source: mapcarta.com |
Cause of Drowning
According to Pareski's research, a sudden eruption of a large volcano occurred near the slopes of Mount Etna near the village. Collapsing part of the giant Mount Etna. Creates a powerful tsunami of 130 feet height, which engulfs the entire village within moments. In the post-tsunami period, the remains of thousands of fish scattered here and there by the impact of the rocks give evidence of the tsunami. In the wake of the tsunami, people left Londbhand settlement and shifted to other places.
However, some researchers blame adverse weather as another factor. Abrupt changes in temperature cause sea levels to rise when cold ice caps begin to melt. As a result, the village began to sink slowly, forcing the inhabitants to leave the village.
Archaeological Artifacts
Various archeological artifacts have been discovered so far by the relentless efforts of the diving team in the salt water jump of the sea and the bone-chilling cold environment. Excavations on the sand dunes have yielded small huts, arrowheads, sickles, axes and tombs. A fresh water well was found.
Archaeologists have found bones of domesticated animals, tree stumps, wood fragments, large fish hooks and hooks inside this 5.5 meter deep rock-lined well. It is believed that these wells were the exclusive domain for permanent settlement in the early 9th century BC.
 |
| Fresh water well; Image Source: Israel Antiquities Authority |
Right in the middle of the settlement, 7 huge megalith stone monuments weighing 500-600 kg stand as a witness to their heritage and culture. During the dry season, water rituals were performed around the monument. The height of each of these monuments is about 1-2 meters.
Also, 10 fragmentary skeletons were found from different parts of the settlement, whose bent bones suggest that the dead people were buried in bows, due to their own beliefs, customs or some other special reason.
 |
| Megalith stone monuments; Image Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Disease
In 2008, researchers examined the bones of an adult woman and her newborn baby. Because, even in that primitive era, there was an epidemic of tuberculosis. In addition, divers were exposed to freezing cold water for most of the day for fishing, causing severe ear damage.
 |
| Fragile skeleton; Image Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Spread over an area of 40,000 square meters under 8-12 meters of water at the mouth of the Oren River in the Gulf of Atlit in the Mediterranean, the village belongs to the 'Pre-Pottery Neolithic B' period and is now a witness to the lost heritage and culture of Palestine. These cultures provide inspiration to uncover the thrilling mysteries of the heart-pounding prehistoric times. Reminiscent of ancient human traditions, stories of bravery and survival against nature. These lost civilizations are now like the fairy tales of every Swapnapuri.