Divers have made an incredible discovery off the coast of western France: a nearly 7,000-year-old wall submerged underwater. This remarkable find, located near the Ile de Sein in Brittany, is about 400 feet long and accompanied by smaller structures from the same era.
Yvan Pailler, an archaeology professor at the University of Western Brittany, expressed enthusiasm about the discovery, stating it offers new insights into how ancient coastal societies were structured. His research is detailed in a study published in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, which sheds light on these long-forgotten sites.
The existence of this wall was first noted by retired geologist Yves Fouquet in 2017 using laser mapping technology. This wall is now recognized as the largest underwater construction ever found in France, according to reports from BBC News.
Between 2022 and 2024, divers confirmed the presence of various granite structures. Fouquet noted that finding such intact remains in challenging underwater conditions was unexpected. These structures date back to a time when sea levels were significantly lower, between 5,800 and 5,300 BC.
Researchers think these constructions might have served dual purposes: as fish traps along the shore or as barriers against rising sea levels. Their design reflects advanced skills for that time, likening them to the later megalithic structures found in Brittany, which were used for ceremonial purposes. This discovery hints at an organized society with the ability to move and manipulate large stone blocks—an impressive feat for that era.
Interestingly, the study touches on local Breton legends of lost cities, like Ys, which was said to have submerged in the Bay of Douarnenez, not far from the discovery site. According to the study, the memories of complex societies lost to rising tides might have influenced these tales. “The rapid rise in sea level could have left a significant mark on cultural memory,” the research suggests.
In recent months, this underwater find follows another exciting archaeological breakthrough: the remains of a 16th-century merchant ship discovered more than a mile underwater off southern France. Each finding illuminates different eras of human history, showcasing our long-standing relationship with the sea.
For more on underwater archaeology, you might find it interesting to explore how climate change is affecting coastal archaeological sites worldwide. According to a study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), many underwater sites face risks due to rising sea levels, making discoveries like this even more crucial for understanding our past.
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Archaeologist, France
