Prehistoric Ritual Complex Discovered in Manot Cave, Israel

A fascinating prehistoric ritual complex was discovered deep inside Manot Cave in Israel.The cave holds evidence of prehistoric ritual practices dating back nearly 35,000 years.

The discovery highlights the profound role of rituals and spirituality in early human history. The ancient site, surrounded by stalagmites, features intricate wall engravings and a distinctive turtle shell-shaped rock, which researchers hypothesize may have served as a totem. This finding underscores the complex cultural practices that shaped early human societies, providing valuable insight into their belief systems and symbolic rituals.

“The rare discovery provides a glimpse into the spiritual world of Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups who lived in our region approximately 35,000 years ago,” said Dr. Omry Braizali from the University of Haifa who was the team leader. “The engraved rock was deliberately placed in a niche in the deepest, darkest part of the cave.

The turtle-shell design, carved on a three-dimensional object, indicates that it may have represented a totem or a mythological or spiritual figure. Its special location, far from the daily activity areas near the cave entrance, suggests it was an object of worship. Notably, there are prehistoric caves in Western Europe, with similar findings testifying these places, held symbolic importance and served for ritual and communal activities.”

Manot Cave

Manot Cave is a treasure trove of archaeological discoveries as both Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens used it as a dwelling space. In 2015, researchers found a skull with mixed features of the two hominin species, providing evidence of intermingling and interbreeding among them.

“In our excavations in Manot Cave, we uncovered rich Aurignacian layers near the cave entrance that included flint tools, bone and antler implements, and shell beads,” said Professor Ofer Marder from Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba, Israel.

Manot Cave has a massive underground chamber descending eight levels before reaching the ritual complex. Scientists have just begun unlocking the secrets of the cave’s deepest section.

The ancient ritual complex

The deepest level is very distinct from the upper levels of the cave, suggesting that the Neanderthals and Homo sapiens that used it made an effort to distinguish between worship areas and their homes.

“We found a clear separation between the ritual complex and the areas of regular activity at the cave entrance. This observation strengthens the hypothesis about the significance of the complex and the need to differentiate it from the areas where daily activity took place,” said the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Alexander Wigman.

The site’s crown jewel is the so-called “Turtle Rock.” It was purposely placed in a slot in the ancient ritual complex, and the surface engravings resemble a turtle’s shell.

“Its special position, far from daily activities, points to a profound symbolic meaning,” said Braizali.

However, one of the biggest findings made in the eighth level did not involve rocks or engravings but rather sound. The area’s acoustics enhance sounds. Its large size suggests it was a place where many people gathered at once. The research team also found evidence of ashes, which implies that the ancient hominins lit the area with torches.

“This is an unprecedented discovery of a space with ‘audio-visual equipment’,” said Professor Israel Hershkovitz from Tel-Aviv University.