It was built during the early days of our species’ existence, but a mysterious cave in the Middle East still holds secrets.
Researchers have discovered a mysterious turtle-shaped rock sculpture in the Manot Cave in the Galilee region of northern Israel.
The item measures about 11 inches (20 cm) and weighs 28 kg and has distinctive grooves similar to natural markings on a turtle’s shell.
Experts believe the object was carved more than 35,000 years ago, while the cave may be more than 55,000 years old.
Since tortoises and tortoises have long been revered as important “cosmic symbols,” experts believe the small rock structure was worshiped there.
In 2015, researchers helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull found in Manot Cave, which offered evidence that modern humans lived and even mated with Neanderthals.
Neanderthals were one of the first relatives of humans who became extinct about 40,000 years ago, although their stay on this planet overlapped with that of modern humans (homo sapiens).
Neanderthals may have already worshiped turtle figures as part of community rituals before they became extinct and Homo sapiens took over the practice.
A rock carved to resemble a turtle was placed in a niche in the cave. The carvings were made approximately 35-37,000 years ago.
Manot Cave was discovered in 2008. Researchers have unearthed more secrets from the cave during more than a decade of excavation.
A study of the turtle sculpture has been led by researchers from the University of Haifa in Israel and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Researchers say it dates back 35,000 years, meaning it would have been created by Homo sapiens and not Neanderthals.
“It may have represented a totem or a spiritual figure,” said study author Omry Barzilai, director of the PaleoLab of Material Culture at the University of Haifa.
“Its special location, away from daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship.”
Discovered in 2008, Manot Cave was used for thousands of years as a living space for both Neanderthals and humans at different times.
The prehistoric cave has spectacular speleothems (mineral deposits formed from groundwater inside underground caverns), such as stalactites and stalagmites.
A skull found in Manot Cave showed evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, with characteristics of each clearly visible on the skull fragment.
The skull was found in the living space near the entrance, but researchers have now discovered a large cavern much deeper in the cave.
The sculpture, made from a dolomite rock, has distinctive markings similar to the markings on a turtle’s shell.
The prehistoric cave has spectacular speleothems (mineral deposits formed from groundwater inside underground caverns), such as stalactites.
Manot Cave is located in the Galilee region of northern Israel. It is notable for the discovery of a skull of a modern human, called Manot 1, which is estimated to be around 55,000 years old.
They say that this secret space “in the deepest, darkest part” of the cave was used as a gathering space, possibly for rituals that “enhanced social cohesion.”
The primitive turtle sculpture was originally carved from a dolomite rock and deliberately placed in a niche in the cave.
The engraved rock was notable for displaying “key geometric signs suggesting a unique representation of a turtle.”
Analysis of the cross section of the grooves and the discernible presence of small scratches on the walls of the grooves confirmed their human or “anthropogenic” origin.
While the sculpture’s appearance could be open to interpretation, experts say the turtle has historically been “a cosmic symbol in different cultures.”
“In Mayan symbolism, the turtle shell represents the earth,” they state in their article, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
‘Likewise, among the indigenous peoples of North America it was believed that the world had been created on the back of a turtle.
“Characterized by its distinctive body shape and slow movement, the turtle is seen as the embodiment of the entire cosmos, symbolizing perseverance, solidity, strength and stability through space and time.”
The images in the article show the sculpture annotated with digital lines. Note the ‘navicular’ boat-shaped slots
In 2015, Case Western Reserve researchers helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull (pictured) found in the cave. It showed evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, with characteristics of each clearly visible in the skull fragment.
The cavern also has natural acoustics favorable for large gatherings, while evidence of wood ashes in nearby stalagmites suggests that prehistoric humans carried torches to illuminate the chamber.
“We evaluated its ability to accommodate a group of people, and evidence suggests the potential use of artificial lighting during meetings,” the team adds.
“Acoustic tests carried out in various areas of the caves indicate that the ritual enclosure was very suitable for community meetings, facilitating conversations, speeches and listening.”
Overall, the new finds reveal more about Manot Cave and its ancient inhabitants, according to the authors.
“The rock engraved at Manot constitutes a profound testimony to the vitality of Paleolithic life and exemplifies the intricate mechanisms that early human societies developed to maintain social cohesion and expand social networks,” they conclude.
WHY DID NEANDERTHALS DISAPPEAR?
It was commonly thought that Neanderthals became extinct because they could not compete with modern humans for food and resources.
But a 2014 study from the University of Oxford suggests that both groups coexisted for between 2,600 and 5,400 years and some interbreeding occurred.
Experts believe Neanderthals “may have survived in dwindling parts of Europe” for several thousand years before becoming extinct, rather than immediately replaced by modern humans.
We once lived among Neanderthals, but about 40,000 years ago they disappeared. The reasons for their disappearance vary, but experts have suggested that interbreeding, climate change and violent confrontations with humans may be to blame (file image)
The study did not cover eastern regions such as Uzbekistan and Siberia, where Neanderthals are also known to have lived.
“Therefore, it is still possible that Neanderthals lived later in some areas,” said anthropologist Professor Chris Stringer.
“The general pattern seems clear: Neanderthals had largely, and perhaps completely, disappeared from their known range by 39,000 years ago.”