Atlit Yam, Neolithic settlement underwater in Atlit, Israel.
Atlit Yam is a submerged Neolithic settlement off the coast of Atlit lying between 8 and 12 meters below the Mediterranean Sea. The remains include stone structures, residential buildings, and wells preserved by the water.
The settlement was established around 6900 BCE and abandoned around 6300 BCE as water levels rose. This period marks a turning point when early societies had to adapt to changing coastlines.
The people who lived here combined fishing with farming and raising animals. Their daily routines show how early coastal communities balanced resources from both the sea and the land.
The site is only accessible to divers, as it lies underwater and requires specialized equipment. Visitors should know that ongoing archaeological research may limit public access at times.
Seven stone pillars form a circle on the seafloor, suggesting the inhabitants performed ritual practices. This arrangement may have been linked to early ceremonies involving water or the sky.
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