(ISRAEL21c)—A water well that may be the oldest wooden structure ever found, and the oldest evidence of an ancient olive-oil industry, are among the preserved remains of a prehistoric village discovered underwater by Israeli researchers off the coast of Dado Zamir Beach in Haifa.

These and other fascinating clues into New Stone Age (Neolithic) culture from about 7,700 years ago were uncovered beneath 100 cubic meters of sand.

“The State of Israel is a pioneer in the study of prehistoric underwater villages flooded by the sea, and is at the cutting edge of research in this area in terms of conservation status and quality of results,” said University of Haifa and Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Ehud Galili, who headed a team of academics, students and volunteers along with marine researcher Deborah Cvikel from the University of Haifa and underwater archeologist Jonathan Benjamin of Flinders University, Australia.

Marine scientists have been exploring six Neolithic villages that thrived on the Mediterranean coast between Haifa and Atlit before becoming submerged as the sea level rose, possibly as a result of massive melting of icecaps and glaciers.

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