[1] The site of Atlit Yam has been carbon-dated to be between 8,900 and 8,300 years old (calibrated dates) and belongs to the final Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period.

[2][3] Piles of fish ready for trade or storage have led scientists to conclude that the village was abandoned suddenly.

An Italian study led by Maria Pareschi of the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Pisa indicates that a volcanic collapse of the eastern flank of Mount Etna 8,500 years ago would likely have caused a 10-storey 40 m (130 ft) tsunami to engulf some Mediterranean coastal cities within hours.

Some scientists point to the apparent abandonment of Atlit Yam around the same time as further evidence that indeed, such a tsunami did occur.

Galili believes that the water in the wells gradually became contaminated with seawater, forcing the inhabitants to abandon their homes.

A complete human burial, in an excellent state of preservation, was discovered under 10 metres (33 ft) of water on October 4, 1987, with the skeleton oriented in a flexed position and laid on her right side.

Subsequent carbon dating of plant material recovered from the burial placed the age of the site at 8000 +/−200 years.

The Homo I skeleton showed traits similar to Natufian populations, but had its own unique morphologic structure, which evidenced inbreeding in the community.