In the depths of Galilee in modern-day Israel, an unprecedented archaeological discovery is shedding new light on the earliest inhabitants of the Asian continent. The Manot Cave, located near the border with Lebanon, has provided evidence of ritual gatherings dating back 35,000 years, becoming a unique testament to the social and spiritual practices of early modern humans.

This finding, recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, marks a milestone in anthropological research. Led by three Israeli researchers, the project involved international collaborators, including a team from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine (CWRU), which has been working at the site for over a decade.

Since its discovery in 2008, when workers were building a residential complex at a mountain resort, Manot Cave has been an archaeological treasure trove. Used as a dwelling space by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens at different times, the cave offers a unique window into the contact and possible interaction between these two species. In 2015, CWRU researchers identified a 55,000-year-old skull with mixed Neanderthal and modern human features, tangible evidence of genetic interbreeding between the species.

Galilea cave
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. Credit: Omry Barzilai et al.

While the cave’s entrance served as a residential area, the recent discovery in its deepest section, eight levels below the surface, suggests a very different use. In this dark and cavernous space, researchers have found indications of ritual activities, marking a clear distinction between daily life and symbolic or spiritual acts.

The centerpiece of this cavern is a carved rock known as the “turtle rock”. Deliberately placed in a natural niche, its surface features a three-dimensional design resembling a turtle shell. According to Omry Barzilai, an archaeologist from the University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority, the rock’s placement suggests its significance as a possible object of worship or spiritual totem. Its special position, far from daily activities, points to a profound symbolic meaning, Barzilai stated.

The cave’s natural environment, with acoustics that enhance resonant sounds, also suggests that it may have served as a gathering space for large groups. Additionally, the presence of wood ash in nearby stalagmites indicates that prehistoric inhabitants used torches to illuminate the space, an effort that underscores the site’s importance in their social practices.

Galilea cave
A rock carved to look like a turtle was placed in a niche in the cavern. The carvings were done approximately 35-37,000 years ago. Credit: Clara Amit / Israel Antiquities Authority

A notable aspect of the project is the interdisciplinary collaboration that has unraveled the cave’s secrets. The involvement of Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine is particularly significant. Since 2012, under the leadership of Jerold Goldberg, then dean of the school, an annual budget of $20,000 was allocated over a decade to support dental students’ research in Manot.

The contribution of these students is crucial in archaeological excavations like this, as their training in anatomy allows them to quickly identify bone fragments among rocks. According to Mark Hans, professor and chair of orthodontics at the school, teeth, due to their hardness, are often the best-preserved elements in ancient skeletons. Dentistry plays a fundamental role in anthropology, especially in the study of human facial growth and development, Hans explained.

The Manot Cave project has been an international effort bringing together experts from diverse disciplines. Among them, Linda Spurlock, a physical anthropologist from Kent State University, has contributed her expertise in reconstructing human faces from skulls, adding a visual dimension to the discoveries. This collaborative approach, which included specialists in mammals, uranium dating, and hearth analysis, has provided a comprehensive understanding of the cave and its occupants.

In addition to Case Western Reserve and the Israel Antiquities Authority, participating institutions include the University of Haifa, the University of Vienna, the University of Barcelona, and the Leakey Foundation, among many others. This global effort has been made possible through financial support from organizations such as the Dan David Foundation, the Israel-U.S. Binational Science Foundation, and the Irene Levi Sala CARE Foundation.

SOURCES

Case Western Reserve University

O. Barzilai, O. Marder, J. Tejero, A. Ayalon, et al., Early human collective practices and symbolism in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Asia, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 121 (51) e2404632121, doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2404632121

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