The research, led by three Israeli scholars with contributions from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Dental Medicine, has been ongoing for over a decade. Initial findings in 2015 revealed a 55,000-year-old skull showing traits of both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, highlighting the region's role in interbreeding and human evolution.
Located deep within the cave, eight stories below the entrance, a cavern served as a gathering space distinct from living quarters near the surface. Among its remarkable features is an engraved stone bearing a turtle-shell design, placed in a niche and interpreted as a potential object of worship. Omry Barzilai, Head of the Material Culture PaleoLab at the University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained, "Its special location, far from the daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship."
The chamber's acoustics suggest suitability for large gatherings, and traces of wood ash on stalagmites indicate the use of torches to illuminate the space. These features imply a possible role in rituals aimed at fostering social cohesion.
The cave, uncovered in 2008 during construction near Israel's border with Lebanon, became the focus of excavation efforts by CWRU starting in 2012. Dean Jerold Goldberg secured $20,000 annually to fund dental students' participation in the research. Goldberg commented, "I provided the commitment and the money because I wanted people to understand the breadth and intellectual interest that dental schools have."
Dental students, whose expertise in identifying bone fragments proved invaluable, worked alongside experts from fields including uranium dating, anthropology, and archaeology. "Most people would not suspect that a dental school would be involved in an archaeological excavation," said Mark Hans, professor and chair of orthodontics at CWRU. Teeth, due to their durability, are often key in anthropological research, making dental specialists highly valuable in such studies.
The program grew in popularity over the decade, drawing participation from students of other institutions. Yvonne McDermott, project coordinator, noted the increasing demand for collaboration, while Linda Spurlock of Kent State University added her expertise in reconstructing ancient faces from skulls.
Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the project, Hans remarked, "Everyone has a narrow focus, like mammals, uranium-dating, hearths; and we all came together and shared our knowledge. We learned a lot over 10 years."
Research Report:Early human collective practices and symbolism in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Asia
Related Links
CWRU Institute for the Science of Origins
All About Human Beings and How We Got To Be Here
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