Hunter-gatherers were making long-distance voyages across the Mediterranean 8,500 years ago, suggesting they were more technologically advanced than previously thought.

Evidence of human activity has been found in caves in Malta, which date back to the European Mesolithic, proving that communities must have travelled from the mainland – a distance of at least 60 miles of open water.

Sailing had not yet been invented, so it is likely they made the arduous journey paddling in dugout canoes and may have navigated by the stars.

The remains date from a thousand years before the arrival of the first farmers.

“The fact that we find hunter-gatherers on Malta at this time implies a sea crossing from Sicily in a dugout canoe,” said Prof Nicholas Vella of the University of Malta, co-investigator of the study.

“All of this predisposes knowledge by the seafarers of navigation at night, using the stars, using sea marks and of course the ability to make up for the strong sea currents that exist in this part of the Mediterranean.

“Relying on sea surface currents and prevailing winds, a crossing of about 100km is likely, with a speed of about 4km per hour.

“Even on the longest day of the year, these seafarers would have had over several hours of darkness in open water.”