• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Anthropology

Oldest evidence of deep-cave rituals in Southwest Asia discovered

by Dario Radley
December 10, 2024

Archaeological research at Manot Cave in Galilee, Israel, has unveiled extraordinary evidence of ritualistic gatherings dating back 35,000 years, marking the earliest such discovery on the Asian continent.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings highlight the cave’s dual role as a dwelling and a site for profound spiritual and social activities. The project, led by Israeli researchers and supported by international collaborators, provides critical insights into early modern human behavior and the interactions between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.

Manot Cave was discovered in 2008 by construction workers near Israel’s border with Lebanon. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU) School of Dental Medicine joined the project in 2012, contributing expertise in identifying ancient human remains.

Oldest evidence of deep-cave rituals in Southwest Asia discovered
The site location, the cave plan with excavated areas, and the major findings. (A) Location of Manot Cave and other Paleolithic sites with engraved objects. (B) Archaeological horizons in the major activity area at the cave entrance (Area E). (C) Plan of the cave with excavated areas marked. The ritual compound is marked with a dashed-line red circle. (D) The location of the boulder with its geometric markings. (E) Persian fallow deer antler retrieved from the southern “hidden” chamber next to the entrance to the gallery. (F) Cross-section of the cave. Note that the gallery is in the deepest part of the cave. Numbers (1, 2, 3) denote the main locations of groups of stalagmites. (G) Stalagmites within the cave. Note a row of speleothems at the bottom of the western talus, separating the gallery from the rest of the cave. (H) Superolateral view (looking northwest) of the recovered boulder ( in situ). Note that the cave wall is void of similar engravings. (I) A three-dimensional image (3D) of the ritual compound where the engraved boulder was found. Notice the two pillars of stalagmites (forming the “gate”) at its entrance. Credit: O. Barzilai et al., PNAS (2024). [This image is used under the CC BY-NC-ND license for non-commercial and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder and object to its use, please contact us for immediate removal.]
The site quickly gained recognition as an archaeological treasure. The cave served as a living space for Neanderthals and Homo sapiens at different times. In 2015, researchers uncovered a 55,000-year-old skull fragment exhibiting traits of both species, providing direct evidence of interbreeding.

Dental students from CWRU leveraged their anatomical expertise to identify bone fragments. “Teeth, being harder than bones, are often the best-preserved elements in ancient skeletons,” explained Mark Hans, professor and chair of orthodontics at the dental school. “This makes dentistry an invaluable tool in anthropological studies.”

RelatedStories

Over 100 prehistoric structures uncovered in Cova Dones cave, Spain

Over 100 prehistoric structures uncovered in Cova Dones cave, Spain

June 4, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025

Recent studies reveal that the cave’s entrance housed daily activities, but its deepest chamber, located eight stories below, held significant ritualistic importance. This cavern, characterized by its acoustics conducive to large gatherings, contained an engraved rock with a turtle-shell design, dubbed the “turtle rock.” Deliberately placed in a niche, the carving’s symbolic placement suggests it served as a spiritual totem.

Traces of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggest prehistoric humans used torches to light the chamber. This meticulous effort, combined with the site’s acoustics, underscores its significance as a gathering place.

The research brought together institutions such as the University of Haifa, Tel Aviv University, the University of Vienna, and the Leakey Foundation. Financial support came from organizations including the Dan David Foundation, the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation, and the Irene Levi Sala CARE Archaeological Foundation. This collective effort has significantly advanced understanding of early human rituals and social structures.

More information: Barzilai, O., Marder, O., Tejero, J.-M., Ayalon, A., Bar-Matthews, M., Abulafia, T., … Hershkovitz, I. (2024). Early human collective practices and symbolism in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Asia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(51). doi:10.1073/pnas.2404632121
Share1Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath
Archaeology

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland
Archaeology

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland
Archaeology

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA
Archaeology

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river
Archaeology

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025
Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections
Archaeology

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

June 17, 2025

Comments 0

  1. Editorial Team says:
    56 years ago
    Disclaimer: This website is a science-focused magazine that welcomes both academic and non-academic audiences. Comments are written by users and may include personal opinions or unverified claims. They do not necessarily reflect the views of our editorial team or rely on scientific evidence.
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025
6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

6,000-year-old “Venus of Kołobrzeg” confirmed as rare Neolithic discovery in northern Poland

June 21, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025
Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

Remarkable 11th-century ritual sword with rare symbolic inlays discovered in Dutch river

June 19, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.