The earliest evidence of human presence in this area, as revealed by archaeological excavations, dates back to the Late Paleolithic period (c 10,000 BP), with visits by hunter-gatherer communities, which increased in the succeeding Mesolithic period. permanent occupation is witnessed by settlements, cemeteries, and agriculture during the Neolithic period and Early Bronze Age (c 4200-1800 Be); however, this occupation was not continuous, being interrupted by transgression phases when the inhabitants were forced by rising waters to leave the area.