131 ft deep in the Mediterranean sea in an area which was once an island in the Sicilian Channel, the previously unknown stone structure dates back at least 10,000 years.
It is believed it was built by people who inhabited the region before it entirely rearranged thanks to radical flooding approximately 9,500 years ago due to the Last Glacial Maximum.
“This discovery reveals the technological innovation and development achieved by the Mesolithic inhabitants in the Sicilian Channel region,” said archaeologist Emanuele Lodolo. “Such an effort undoubtedly reveals important technical skills and great engineering.”
The actual purpose of its construction has not been confirmed, and it is unclear whether it was built for religious purposes or a practical function such as a lighthouse. It is also not certain whether the 2 part structure was originally part of a much larger monolith.
Check out the story here at Discovery.