Atlit Yam is a 9000-year-old submerged Neolithic village off the coast of Atlit, Israel, in the Levantine sea.
Dating back to at least the final Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, between 6900 and 6300 BC, Atlit Yam covers an area of approximately 10 acres and lies at a depth of between 8 to 12 meters underwater. The site has been submerged due to post-glacial sea level rising. The site was discovered and has been excavated since 1984, revealing a wealth of artifacts, structures, and human remains that provide a snapshot of Neolithic life.
These include stone-built houses, wells, and a series of water wells that are among the earliest known in the world, indicating advanced techniques for freshwater management. There was also the discovery of a semi-circular arrangement of stones around a spring, along with animal remains and human burials.
More than 100 human skeletons have been found, providing valuable data on diet, health, and lifestyle. Some skeletons showed signs of tuberculosis, offering early evidence of the disease in prehistoric times.
