Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered what may be one of the world’s oldest burial sites. Human remains estimated to be around 100,000 years old were discovered in carefully arranged positions within a cave in central Israel, suggesting early evidence of funerary rituals.
The discoveries at Tinshemet Cave, documented in a recent academic journal, support earlier findings from other sites in northern Israel and provide new insights into the origins of human burial customs.
Archaeologists are particularly interested in items found near the bodies—such as ochre fragments, animal bones, and basalt stones—which they believe were likely used in ceremonial practices, hinting at early forms of spirituality and beliefs in an afterlife.
“This marks a significant turning point for our species,” said Yossi Zaidner, co-director of the Tinshemet excavation and professor of archaeology at Hebrew University. “It’s the earliest clear evidence of such behavior.”
Since 2016, researchers have unearthed five human remains at the site, dated between 110,000 and 100,000 years old. The bodies were positioned in a fetal pose—a known burial practice—and accompanied by objects that lacked practical use, suggesting symbolic or ritual purposes.
A Key Site in Human Evolution
Nestled in the hills of central Israel, Tinshemet Cave—now home to fruit bats—has become a vital location for understanding human evolution during the Middle Paleolithic period, which spans from about 250,000 to 30,000 years ago.
Findings published in Nature Human Behavior in March include two nearly complete skeletons and three skulls with additional bones and teeth, as well as over 500 pieces of red and orange ochre. These pigments were created by heating iron-rich rocks and indicate a capacity for symbolic or decorative behavior.
Zaidner emphasized the complexity of the findings: “We’re seeing behaviors here that go beyond basic survival.”
Excavation work, conducted mainly during summers, is a slow process involving detailed documentation and removal of each artifact. One human skull is still partially embedded in rock and may take years to fully unearth.
According to Christian Tryon, a University of Connecticut professor and Smithsonian research associate who was not involved in the project, the site’s conditions—including ash from ancient fires and the area’s unique limestone—have helped preserve the remains remarkably well.
In one skeleton, even the interlaced fingers beneath the head were clearly visible.
Shedding Light on a Mysterious Past
Tinshemet’s discoveries reinforce earlier evidence from other Israeli sites like Skhul and Qafzeh Caves, which were excavated under less rigorous methods decades ago. Tryon noted that the new findings provide stronger, more accurate dating and context.
This supports the idea that burial practices were becoming increasingly common during this time, reflecting a shift in how early humans treated their dead.
While some researchers suggest burial customs may have begun even earlier—possibly with the Homo naledi species in South Africa around 200,000 years ago—many remain skeptical due to lack of conclusive evidence.
A Crossroads of Ancient Peoples
Israel's geographic location once served as a passage between Neanderthals in Europe and Homo sapiens in Africa. The remains from Tinshemet are still being studied to determine whether they belonged to Neanderthals, early modern humans, or a hybrid group.
Zaidner explained that the region’s diverse early populations likely exchanged knowledge and developed shared customs, such as jewelry and body painting—early signs of social identity and group belonging.
Israel Hershkovitz, co-director of the excavation and a physical anthropologist at Tel Aviv University, said the emergence of burial sites also marked a symbolic claim to territory. “It’s a declaration: this land belongs to my ancestors,” he said—an idea that still resonates in cultural practices today.