Archaeologists have discovered the earliest known evidence of human occupation on the island of Sicily in San Teodoro cave near the town of Acquedolci, Messina.

The study “The human entry in Sicily: new archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence from San Teodoro cave (Acquedolci, Messina)” by Vincenza Forgia, Claudia Speciale, Marie-Estelle Ölz, Arianna Romano, Francesco Savarino, Rosaria Natoli and Luca Sineo was published  

This study presents findings from the 2021 excavation at San Teodoro Cave in northeastern Sicily, offering new insights into the earliest human presence on the island. Radiocarbon dating indicates human activity in the cave around 16,700 to 15,700 years ago, making it the oldest known human occupation in Sicily.

Key Findings

Archaeological Layer: A previously unexamined layer rich in charcoal, lithic tools, and faunal remains was identified, suggesting early human habitation.

Faunal Remains: Analysis revealed red deer and wild boar bones with cut marks and signs of burning, indicating hunting and cooking activities.

Lithic Tools: A total of 151 stone artifacts made from local quartz-arenite and chert were recovered, including end-scrapers and backed blades, reflecting on-site tool production.

Paleoenvironmental Context: Charcoal analysis suggests the area served as a glacial refuge, supporting temperate tree species during the Last Glacial Maximum

The findings support a model of westward human migration across Sicily’s northern coast during the Late Epigravettian period, likely driven by demographic growth in southern Italy and improving environmental conditions. This research enhances our understanding of human dispersal patterns in the central Mediterranean post-Last Glacial Maximum.

Forgia, V., Speciale, C., Ölz, ME. et al. The human entry in Sicily: new archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence from San Teodoro cave (Acquedolci, Messina). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 17, 109 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02223-5