Discovery of 100,000-Year-Old Burial Site: A New Look at Early Humans
An article describing the findings was published in the prestigious journal Nature.
In addition to the skeletons, archaeologists discovered basalt boulders, ochre fragments, and animal remains. These objects, some from hundreds of kilometers away, had no known practical use in everyday life, so experts believe they were part of rituals honoring the dead.
"This is a revolutionary innovation in the behavior of our species," says Professor Yossi Zaidner of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, co-leader of the study, as quoted by AP News. "This is the first time we've seen such clear evidence of ritual treatment of the dead."
Located in limestone hills, Tinshemet Cave is one of the most important sites for studying the evolution of human behavior during the Middle Paleolithic era (250,000–30,000 years ago). The site is distinguished by the excellent state of preservation of its materials, thanks to the presence of ashes from ancient fires and the specific chemical conditions of the soil.
Among the most valuable finds are two complete skeletons and three skulls. One of the skeletons is so well preserved that its clasped hands, placed beneath its head, are visible. Over 500 fragments of ochre—a pigment obtained by heating iron-rich rocks—were found alongside the remains. This is some of the oldest evidence of the use of dyes and body decoration.
“It’s a complex set of behaviors that goes beyond eating and survival,” Zaidner adds.
Research at Tinshemet has been ongoing since 2016 and is conducted primarily in the summer. Excavations are time-consuming, with archaeologists using small pneumatic tools, similar to dental tools, to avoid damaging the delicate finds.
Tinshemet's significance is confirmed by earlier finds from the Skhul and Qafzeh caves in northern Israel. The remains discovered there also suggest burial practices dating back approximately 100,000 years. However, Tinshemet allows for more precise dating and analysis of these phenomena, thanks to modern research methods.
"Previous studies were technically and methodologically limited. Now we can confirm that we are dealing with a specific burial pattern," Professor Christian Tryon of the University of Connecticut told AP News.
Some scientists suggest that the practice of burying the dead may have originated even earlier, for example in South Africa among Homo naledi. However, these hypotheses remain controversial and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
Tinshemet. The Paleolithic Bridge Between Europe and AfricaTinshemet also provides valuable information about contacts between different subgroups of early humans. Israel served as a bridge between Neanderthals from Europe and Homo sapiens from Africa . This facilitated the exchange of genes, culture, and technology. Researchers are still trying to determine the group to which the people buried in the cave belonged—perhaps it was a mixed population or a completely separate one.
Zaidner points out that it is during this period that the first traces of jewelry and body painting appear, which may indicate a growing need to express group identity – to distinguish “us” from “others.”
Professor Israel Hershkovitz of Tel Aviv University, co-director of the research, emphasizes that the cemetery also has a social and symbolic dimension. "It's a signal: 'This is our land, it belongs to our ancestors,'" he says. "Such a symbolic claim to territory is also reflected in the contemporary world."
RP
