About 30 kilometers northwest of Rome, the now flooded settlement of La Marmotta was first discovered in 1989, but is still under investigation. The village on the shore of the lake existed in the early Neolithic period, its ruins are now located at a depth of 11 meters, about 300 meters from the modern shoreline.

what is known

Textiles, the remains of which were found under water, were made from plant fibers – flax. In total, 43 pieces of fabric, 28 pieces of cord and two pieces of yarn were brought to the surface. Also found were spinners (pullers for spindles and simple looms), 34 solid wood tools, as well as awls, spatulas and needles, which were probably used to seal each new row of threads during weaving.

It is not known why the La Marmotta settlement was abandoned, but it is possible that people had to leave their homes due to the sudden rise in the water level in the lake.

Whatever the reason, residents left behind all their belongings, including tools, cookware, and canoes.
– write researchers.

Examination of the location of thousands of wooden piles showed that there were at least 13 dwellings in the settlement. These rectangular houses had an inner chamber and a central hearth. They were 8 to 10 meters long and about 6 meters wide.

Five wooden canoes, some found near houses, are the only known examples of the Mediterranean Neolithic today.