Neanderthals may have crossed the seas THOUSANDS of years before modern humans, researchers say

- Discoveries of tools dating back 130,000 years are evidence of early sea travel
- Tools were found in Crete, which separated from mainland 5 million years ago
- In recent years, ancient tools have been found in several other islands as well
- Suggests human ancestors had cognitive and technological means for sea travel

By CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 17:15 EDT, 25 April 2018 | UPDATED: 17:51 EDT, 25 April 2018

Modern humans may not have been the first travelers to cross the seas.

Mounting evidence discovered in recent years suggests Stone Age mariners may have hopped from island to island throughout the Mediterranean more than 130,000 years ago – and, this may even have included Neanderthals.

While it’s long been thought that Bronze Age people were the first to become seafarers, stone tools and bones found throughout Eurasia suggest others had them beat by thousands of years, according to Science magazine.

The discovery of tools on islands such as Crete has upended the long-held notion that modern humans were the first to venture off land.

More:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5657623/Neanderthals-crossed-seas-THOUSANDS-years-modern-humans-researchers-say.html