One of the best-preserved underwater settlements from the Stone Age is vanishing, and researchers are racing to re-examine it before it’s lost forever.
An underwater Stone Age settlement could shed new light on Denmark's prehistory, but the valuable insights hidden at Tudse Hage in West Zealand are in danger of being lost to the sea.
The settlement, which has remained protected under sand and dunes for 7,000 years, is now seriously threatened by erosion, which risks washing away all traces of this ancient site.
Researchers are currently investigating the settlement to document its findings and understand how currents and erosion are impacting its preservation, according to a press release from the Viking Ship Museum, which is leading the project alongside the National Museum.
Museum inspector Morten Johansen warns that the risk of losing the site is no longer theoretical—it is deteriorating rapidly.
"Every time storms hit the area, more of the hidden layers are disturbed, taking with them our chance to learn about ancient technology, hunting practices, and daily life," he says in the press release.
The settlement, which dates back over 7,000 years to the Old Stone Age, was submerged underwater when the sea levels rose dramatically following the Ice Age.
The museum describes it as one of the best-preserved underwater settlements in the world.
However, last year, several items were found that didn’t seem to belong—such as half a dog’s skull.
The site is located 50 meters from the coast at a depth of 2-3.5 meters, with exceptional preservation conditions that have led to the discovery of “unique artifacts.”
The settlement was initially discovered in the 1950s by a recreational diver, and since then, remarkable finds have been made, including an intact eel trap and a meticulously twisted, thin string.
"Next to the string, we found green leaves that were as vibrant as leaves on trees in the Danish spring, despite having been cut 7,000 years ago," adds the museum curator.
The excavation is being funded by a grant from the Danish Palaces and Culture Agency.
