Though today Malta is a sun-drenched island nation surrounded by open sea, many don’t realize that Malta used to be part of Sicily and possibly the mainland. Long before recorded history, during the Ice Age, sea levels were far lower than they are today. Land bridges once connected Malta to nearby Sicily—and perhaps even to what is now the Italian and North African coasts. This prehistoric geography shaped the island’s early culture, wildlife, and human settlement.
Malta used to be part of Sicily and possibly the mainland
When the Mediterranean Looked Different
During the last Ice Age, the Mediterranean was not the sea we know now. Large parts of it were dry or shallow, and Malta formed part of a larger landmass. As glaciers melted and sea levels rose, islands like Malta, Gozo, and Comino were slowly isolated. Over time, rising waters submerged the land bridges that once linked them to Sicily and beyond.
Clues in Bones and Stones
Archaeologists and geologists have uncovered compelling evidence to support this connection. Fossil remains of dwarf elephants and hippopotamuses—animals not native to islands—have been found in Maltese caves. These species likely arrived when land routes still existed. Human settlement also supports this theory. Some of the earliest farmers and temple builders in Malta likely came from Sicily, bringing crops, tools, and architectural traditions with them.
A Shared Cultural Legacy
Even after the land bridges disappeared, the ties between Malta and Sicily remained strong. From megalithic temple designs to Bronze Age pottery, the cultural echoes are clear. Over thousands of years, trade and migration continued across the sea, preserving a deep Mediterranean bond.
An Island Once Anchored
So while modern Malta may seem like a standalone island, its roots go much deeper. Malta used to be part of Sicily and possibly the mainland, and that ancient connection still shapes its identity. Beneath the waves lies a forgotten landscape—a reminder that Malta’s isolation is a relatively recent chapter in a much older story.