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A submerged neolithic site is located off the coast of Atlit, Israel, in the Mediterranean Sea
It made the news, while surveying the area for shipwrecks, in 1984. (1) The site has shown the earliest known evidence for an agro-pastoral-marine subsistence system, on the levantine coast. (2) Experiencing sea level rise, and climate change. Nearly, 10,000 years ago.

When marine archaeologists located the site. Scientists were able to date it back to around 6900 to 6300 BC
It belongs to the final pre-pottery neolithic b period. And, provides valuable insights into prehistoric life, including early agriculture, animal domestication, and ritual practices.

The site is around 40,000 square meters, or 10 acres
After the end of the last Ice Age. It is assumed that the contemporary coastline was about 1 km (a half-mile) west of the present coast. (3)(4) It is currently 8-12m or 25-40 feet, below sea level. Near the mouth of the Oren river (Carmel coast).

Archaeologists uncovered stone structures. Including a well; structural walls; and, stone circle
It was likely used for fresh water. Housing and protection. Giving clues about organization and daily life of the settlement.

Burials and human skeletons were found
Some had tuberculosis. Making the site one of the earliest examples of the disease in humans.

Agricultural and marine economy that suddenly stopped
Piles of fish ready for trade or storage. Have led scientists to conclude, it was abandoned suddenly. (5)(6) Scientists indicated that a volcanic collapse of the eastern flank of Mount Etna. Could have caused it. Around 6500 BC. A 10-storey (40 m or 130 ft) tsunami. Would have engulped some neolithic Mediterranean coastal cities, within hours.

Stored bone fish hooks and piles of fish bones were found. As well as skeletons with ear damage
Men were thought to have dived four seafood. (1) And, storage points to the importance of marine resources. (1)

Animal bones were found, mainly of wild species. Lithic arrowheads, sickleblades and axes. Wild grape, poppy, and caraway seed remains. And, grainy weevils indicate the presence of stored grains

A semicircular arrangement of seven megaliths weighing up to 600 kg each was found
It is interpreted possibly related to a ritual. Like water or fertility rites.(1)(7)(8)

Atlit Yam offers a unique glimpse into early neolithic life. It also provides evidence of early human adaptation to environmental changes. And, the challenges experienced with historic climate change.

Cite: 1) Marchant, Jo (25 November 2009). “Deep Secrets: Atlit-Yam, Israel” (https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427361.400-atlityam-israel.html). New Scientist (2736). Reed Business Information Ltd.: 40, 41. ISSN 0262-4079 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0262-4079).

2) Marine archaeology (http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/
marineachology.html) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20110606070650/http://www.emu.
edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/marineachology.html) June 6, 2011, at
the Wayback Machine

3) Ehud Galili/Y. Nir, “The submerged pre-pottery Neolithic water well at Atlit-Yam, northern Israel, and its palaeoenvironmental implications”, The Holocene 3, 1993, 265–270.

4) Ehud Galili/ Jacob Sharvi. “Submerged Neolithic water-wells from the Carmel coast of Israel”. Landschaftsverband Rheinland, Rheinisches Amt für Bodendenkmalpflege (ed.), Brunnen der Jungsteinzeit. Internationales Symposium in Erkelenz, 27–29 October 1997. Materialien zur
Denkmlapflege im Rheinland 11, 1998 (Bonn Habelt). p. 31–44.

5) Than, Ker (2006-11-30). “Ten-Story Tsunami Thrashed Mediterranean 8,000 Years Ago” (https://web.archive.org/web/20070212060448/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,233360,00.html?
sPage=fnc.science%2Farchaeology). Fox News. Archived from the original (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,233360,00.html?sPage=fnc.science/archaeology) on 2007-02-12.

6) Hecht, Jeff (2006-12-13). “How Etna’s Neolithic Hiccup Set Off a Tsunami” (https://www.newsci
entist.com/channel/earth/mg19225814.600-how-etnas-neolithic-hiccup-set-off-a-tsunami.html).
New Scientist.

7) “Israel’s Atlantis” (https://www.jpost.com/Local-Israel/Around-Israel/Israels-Atlantis). Jerusalem Post.

8) “The Pre-Pottery Neolithic Site of Atlit-Yam” (http://www.antiquities.org.il/article_eng.aspx?sec_
id=14&subj_id=139). Israel Antiquities Authority.