It was built in the early days of our species, but a mysterious cave in the Middle East still holds secrets.
Researchers have discovered a strange turtle-like sculpture in the Manot cave in the Galilee region of northern Israel.
Measuring around 11 inches (20cm) and weighing 28 kg, the object has distinct lines and the natural shape of a turtle’s shell.
Experts think that the object was carved more than 35,000 years ago, while the cave may be more than 55,000 years old.
Since turtles and tortoises have long been revered as ‘signs of the sky’, scholars believe that a small stone house was worshiped there.
Back in 2015, researchers helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull found in Manot Cavewhich provided evidence that modern humans lived and intermarried with Neanderthals.
Neanderthals were early relatives of humans that died out about 40,000 years ago. although their time on earth was intermingled with modern humans (homo sapiens).
It is possible that the Neanderthals already worshiped turtle figures as part of their pre-death rituals and homo sapiens adopted this practice.
A carved stone in the shape of a turtle was placed in another cave. The paintings were made about 35-37,000 years ago
Manot Cave was discovered in 2008. Experts have unearthed many secrets of this cave for more than ten years
Research into the turtle sculpture has been led by researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Researchers say it dates back 35,000 years, which means it could have been created by homo sapiens rather than Neanderthals.
“It could represent a totem or a spiritual figure,” said study author Omry Barzilai, head of the Material Culture PaleoLab at the University of Haifa.
‘Its unique location, away from everyday life near the entrance to the cave, suggests that it was an object of worship.’
Discovered in 2008, Manot Cave was used for thousands of years as a place to live by Neanderthals and humans at different times.
The historic cave has impressive speleothems – mineral deposits formed from underwater inside underground caves – such as stalactites and stalagmites.
The skull found in the Manot cave showed evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal and homo sapiens, which is clearly visible in the skull section.
The skull was found in a settlement near the entrance, but researchers have now discovered a large cave deeper inside the cave.
The sculpture, made from dolomite stone, has markings similar to turtle shells.
The historic cave has impressive speleothems – mineral deposits formed from underwater inside underground caves – such as stalactites.
The Cave of Manot is located in the Galilee region in the north of Israel. It is notable for the discovery of a modern human skull, called Manot 1, which is said to be about 55,000 years old.
They say that this secret place ‘in the deepest and darkest part’ of the cave was used as a gathering place, perhaps for rituals that ‘encouraged communal harmony’.
The ancient turtle statue was originally carved from dolomite stone and deliberately placed in a cave niche.
The carved stone was particularly striking in its display of ‘geometric markings depicting a unique image of a tortoise’.
Analysis of cross-sections of the grooves and the presence of particles on the walls of the grooves confirmed that they were man-made or ‘anthropogenic’.
Although the shape of the statue can be interpreted, experts say that the turtle or tortoise has historically been ‘a symbol of nature in different cultures’.
‘In Mayan symbolism, the turtle shell represents the earth,’ they say in their paper, published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Similarly, among the North American peoples, the world was thought to have been created on the back of a turtle.
‘Known for its unique body shape and slow movement, the turtle is seen as a symbol of the universe, symbolizing endurance, strength, power, and stability across space and time.’
The images from the paper show the sculpture drawn with digital lines. Note the boat-like ‘navicular’ grooves
In 2015, Case Western Reserve researchers helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull (pictured) found in a cave. It showed evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal and homo sapiens, with all the features clearly visible on the skull.
The cave also has natural sounds perfect for large gatherings, while evidence of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggests that ancient people carried torches to light the chamber.
“We evaluated its ability to accommodate a group of people, the indications that show the use of temporary lighting in meetings,” the team adds.
‘Audibility tests carried out in different areas of the caves show that the ritual was suitable for public meetings, leading discussions, speaking and hearing.’
Overall, the new information reveals more about Manot Cave and its ancient inhabitants, according to the authors.
“The Manot stone inscription is a profound testimony to the vicissitudes of Paleolithic life and exemplifies the complex ways early human societies developed to improve cooperation and develop social networks,” he concludes.
WHY DID THE NEANDERTHALS KEEP THEM?
It is often thought that Neanderthals died out because they could not compete with modern humans for food and resources.
But a 2014 study by the University of Oxford shows that both groups existed between 2,600 and 5,400 years ago and some interbreeding took place.
Experts believe that Neanderthals may have been ‘extinct in pockets of Europe’ for thousands of years before they became extinct, rather than being replaced by modern humans.
We lived among the Neanderthals but about 40,000 years ago, they disappeared. The causes of their deaths vary, but experts say breeding, climate change and violent human conflicts may be to blame (stock photo).
The study did not cover eastern regions such as Uzbekistan and Siberia, where Neanderthals are also known to have lived.
‘So it is still possible that Neanderthals are late in some areas,’ said anthropologist Professor Chris Stringer.
‘The whole process seems clear – the Neanderthals largely, and perhaps completely, disappeared from their known group by 39,000 years ago.’
