More very early Mediterranean mariners

[E.P. Grondine]

Hello everyone -

http://antiquity.ac.uk/antiquityNew/projgall/kopaka321/

thought you might enjoy this

[Rokcet Scientist]

very interesting E.P. Thanks for posting.
I see that the earliest dating mentioned is 200 KYA. But if Bednarik is right that was probably a relative late-comer to Gravdos/Crete.

[kbs2244]

I don’t see any consideration as to what the water levels may have been at that time.
Had Gibraltar been breached?
Was the open sea level high enough to come through Gibraltar?

It may have just a short swim vs. a long row.

[E.P. Grondine]

I don’t see any consideration as to what the water levels may have been at that time.
Had Gibraltar been breached?
Was the open sea level high enough to come through Gibraltar?

It may have just a short swim vs. a long row.

Hi Kbs - That was covered in the archaeology magazine write up of this, though I do not know how comprehensive the study of Med sea levels has been. It is a geologically active area as well, with land rising in some areas, and the tools have been given minimum dates, not the earliest possible.

It's going to be cold in Illinois this winter, and if anyone wants to fund the research, I would be happy to go to Crete and continue to investigate this problem first hand. But I suppose that physical anthropologists with several advance doctorates probably have those gigs all lined up, and as I don't have good eyes for field surveys, I limit myself to heavily occupied sites. My guess is that they will be looking for datable fossils and hearths.

Its a shame, as I could be pretty good with the X mt DNA haplogroup (given as ca. 9,000 BCE, though likely slightly earlier) finds they also made in this area.

[Rokcet Scientist]

I don’t see any consideration as to what the water levels may have been at that time.
Had Gibraltar been breached?

No, that happened around 9,800 BC, afaik. And prior to that water levels were up to 400 feet/120 m lower so that there was considerably less open sea to cross than today (from any direction).

Was the open sea level high enough to come through Gibraltar?

No, not until 9,800 BC.
The Med was then like the Caspian Sea is today (very shallow).

[Barracuda]

Thanks! I find this area and subject very interesting.

I think they used something like paddle board, but then I am an old surfer, and kayaker

[Digit]

Well a kayak is/was only a coracle with pointy ends, they didn't come much simpler. If they could construct a coracle a kayak would seem to be well within their capabilities I would think.

Roy.

[Rokcet Scientist]

[E.P. Grondine]

I don’t see any consideration as to what the water levels may have been at that time.
Had Gibraltar been breached?

No, that happened around 9,800 BC, afaik. And prior to that water levels were up to 400 feet/120 m lower so that there was considerably less open sea to cross than today (from any direction).

Was the open sea level high enough to come through Gibraltar?

No, not until 9,800 BC.
The Med was then like the Caspian Sea is today (very shallow).

Hi RS - Do you have a quick link to Med sea levels? I looked for 9800 BC, got a 9800 BP uncalibrated for the Black Sea flooding. Uncalibrated RC dates - man what a mess.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Do you have a quick link to Med sea levels?

Sorry, I got that one off of the top of my head.

[Barracuda]

I was thinking more of a dug out ""canoe" that would look more like a surf board on steroids.