A group of archaeologists discovered it in the Manot cave. It’s a great gallery. According to the team, ancient hunter-gatherers visited to celebrate rituals about 35,000 years ago. Inside was a dolomite boulder with an engraved image resembling a turtle shell. The 35,000-year-old ritual room presents new questions.
It is an extraordinary find. It sheds light on the complexity of human behavior and cultural expression during the Paleolithic in the Levant. The importance of this artifact lies not only in its age. Also in its potential to represent one of the first examples of ritual activity in the region.
Beginnings of religion
There is a stark contrast between the paucity of artistic expressions in the Levant and the rich treasures of Paleolithic art found in Europe. Cave paintings and figurines abound in Europe. But evidence of similar practices in the Levant has been limited. That is why this finding is so important. Laser microscope and replicas of tools were used, underlining the sophistication of the first inhabitants and their capacity for symbolic thought.
“This rock symbolizes the beginnings of religion,” highlights Israel Hershkovitz. People could have used the gallery to hold rituals or large gatherings. If this assumption is correct, it would be the first Upper Paleolithic ritual complex discovered in the Levant. The researchers point out that this part of the cave was very dark. Hunter-gatherers probably used artificial lighting during such events.
Carrying out ritual practices
The 35,000-year-old ritual hall was no accident. There was presence of wood ash. The transportation of the heavy rock to an isolated part of the cave implies that this location was chosen for its potential for spiritual or ceremonial practices.
The finding is associated with a population that included hybrids of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. This adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of human evolution and cultural exchange. The artistic traditions known from Aurignacian culture may have influenced these groups. When they emigrated back to the Levant, they brought with them not only their genetic heritage, but also their artistic and ritual practices.
