They call the possible continent Mauritia, partly because it was found near the island of Mauritius off the coast of Madagascar.

It’s thought the area was ripped open by plate tectonics as the entire area was shifting and moving to form what we know now as the coast of Africa.

The researchers found crystals of zirconium silicate and they believe them to be hundreds of millions of years older than any rocks found on the island.

It’s also thought that the landmass may have sunk about the same time what is now India began to move north.

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Scientists think the Seychelles may be a surviving part of the lost continent.

Researchers say they will need seismic data as well as deep drilling to determine more about the area.