Scientists excavating a cave in northeastern Sicily have uncovered the earliest known signs of human presence on the island, dating back roughly 16,500 years. The discovery offers insight into how and when modern humans first settled in this part of the Mediterranean.
The research in San Teodoro cave near the town of Acquedolci in the Messina region revealed stone tools, animal bones, and charred wood – clear evidence that the site was once inhabited by hunter-gatherers shortly after the last ice age.
Old theory confirmed with new dating techniques
The study, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, confirms a theory first proposed in 1947 by Italian archaeologist Paolo Graziosi. He suggested that the cave had been occupied by humans before being used as a burial site.
Researchers have now accurately dated the lower layers, showing that modern humans arrived in Sicily much earlier than previously believed.
Hunting, cooking, and tool-making inside the cave
Evidence suggests the cave’s early residents hunted large animals, particularly deer, which provided them with food, hides, and tools. Marks and burn traces on the bones indicate that animals were skinned and cooked inside the cave.
Stone tools found nearby—such as scrapers, points, and carving tools—were made from flint and quartzite collected in the area.
Charcoal remains reveal the ancient Sicilian landscape
Researchers also examined the ash layers left behind from ancient fires. The analysis helped reconstruct the prehistoric landscape, revealing that Sicily was once home to maple, oak, and even beech trees.
This forested environment stands in contrast to the icy conditions that covered much of Europe during the same period. Scientists believe the region served as a glacial refuge, allowing plant species to survive that had vanished elsewhere.
Beech tree survival points to unique conditions
The presence of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in particular was a key finding. Its survival in Sicily while disappearing from most of the continent highlights the island’s unique ecological conditions during the last glaciation.
According to the study, early humans likely reached Sicily by sea from the Italian mainland, using small boats to cross shorter distances made possible by lower sea levels.
Once ashore, they gradually moved west across the island and eventually reached the Egadi Islands off the coast of Trapani.
A key site for understanding early human expansion
The archaeological layer uncovered in San Teodoro cave is the oldest not only at the site but also in the wider region. Researchers say it provides crucial evidence that the earliest humans had a presence in Sicily far earlier than once thought.
As the climate warmed after the last glacial peak around 20,000 years ago, the island’s diverse natural resources made it an ideal place for early human survival and expansion.
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