Scientists from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey said that the decline in the population of monk seals was probably due to the development and settlement of ancient civilizations.. According to New Scientist, in the past, these seals were common on the coast of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as in the warm regions of the Atlantic.. Now only a few hundred individuals remain in scattered populations..

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In previous studies, scientists have found that this group of seals has a low diversity of genetic variations.. However, it was not known how these animals became so vulnerable..

A new study has found that the largest decline in all monk seal populations occurred between 800 BC and 600 AD.. This period coincides with antiquity and the early Middle Ages..

At this time, people actively colonized the Mediterranean coast..

Ancient Greek and Roman literature mentions hunting pinnipeds for meat, fat and skin.. Scientists believe that the number of monk seals has declined sharply precisely because of active fishing, primarily by representatives of the Roman Empire..

Earlier, scientists from Monash University announced that monk seals lived in Australia in the distant past.. According to researchers, animals lived here about five million years ago..