37,000-Year-Old Ritual Gathering Space Discovered in Israel’s Manot Cave
A chamber believed to have hosted ritual gatherings as early as 37,000 years ago has been uncovered in the depths of Manot Cave in northern Israel. Archaeologists estimate the space, illuminated by torchlight during ceremonies, could accommodate up to 100 individuals. The findings, led by Omry Barzilai from the University of Haifa, suggest ritualistic activities were likely inspired by spiritual or mythological beliefs.
Evidence of Ritual Practices
The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Excavations at the cave’s entrance previously revealed evidence of human occupation dating back to around 46,000 years, as per sources. However, the recent discovery deep within the cave highlights its use for collective rituals during the Aurignacian period, characterised by distinctive tools, beads, and figurines associated with ancient European cultures.
According to reports, the chamber’s natural acoustics made it suitable for gatherings, while a unique carved boulder resembling a tortoise shell was found within. Engraved lines on the boulder were created using sharp stones, as determined by microscopic analysis. The cultural or spiritual significance of tortoises in this context remains unclear, though tortoise shells have been linked to burials in the region during later periods.
Radiometric Dating Supports Age Estimate
The age of the engraved boulder and ritual artefacts was determined through uranium decay analysis. This method, applied to mineral crusts on the boulder, yielded an estimated age of 37,000 to 35,000 years. A similar dating technique was used on a deer antler discovered nearby, which bore signs of human modification.
Reports indicate that ash particles in the chamber suggest the use of torches to illuminate the pitch-black space, though no fire pits were identified. The findings offer significant insight into early ritualistic behaviour in the Middle East, drawing parallels with similar activities in European caves, such as the Neanderthal-built structures found in Bruniquel Cave in France.
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Engineers and materials scientists have achieved a major advancement in battery technology, developing a lithium-sulfur battery that retains 80 percent of its charge capacity after 25,000 charging cycles. The new design, which uses a specially formulated electrode, represents a significant improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting energy storage solutions, addressing critical demands in electronics and electric vehicles.
Key Innovations in the Study
According to a study published in Nature, sulfur was utilised as a core component for the battery’s solid electrode. Despite being abundant and cost-effective, sulfur has historically posed challenges due to issues such as ion loss and expansion during reactions with lithium. These problems were tackled by incorporating a glass-like mixture composed of sulfur, boron, lithium, phosphorus, and iodine. The iodine element was found to enhance electron movement during redox reactions, allowing for faster charging and improved performance.
As reported by Techxplore, the research demonstrated that the porous atomic structure of the electrode facilitated ion diffusion, eliminating the need for intermediary movements. This structural stability, combined with the chemical properties of the glass-phase electrolyte, contributed to the battery’s durability across an unprecedented number of cycles.
Performance and Potential Applications
The experimental lithium-sulfur battery maintained its capacity even under high temperatures, a notable advantage in demanding environments. Standard lithium-ion batteries typically degrade after approximately 1,000 cycles, making this new battery’s longevity a striking development. Despite its promise, the study’s authors acknowledged the need for further research to improve energy density and explore alternative materials that could reduce the battery’s overall weight.
Efforts are being directed at refining this technology to support the growing demand for energy storage in applications ranging from consumer electronics to renewable energy systems.
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The nutritional reliance on small carnivores by early hunter-gatherer societies in the Levant has been highlighted through recent archaeological discoveries. A series of excavations at the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (EPPNB) site of Aḥihud, located in present-day Israel, has revealed the widespread use of red foxes, wildcats, and other small carnivores for meat and fur. This period, dated between approximately 10,500 and 10,100 years ago, coincided with a transformative phase as communities transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming-based lifestyles.
Findings at the Aḥihud Site
According to the study published in Environmental Archaeology, various archaeological materials, including animal bone fragments, were recovered during salvage excavations in 2012 and 2013. These materials included 1,244 animal remains, with a significant proportion belonging to small carnivores such as red foxes, beech martens, Egyptian mongooses, and European badgers. Dr. Shirad Galmor, the lead researcher, explained to Phys.org that the high quantity of small carnivore bones, coupled with observable cut marks, sparked deeper investigation into their utilisation.
Evidence of Skinning and Consumption
Through taphonomic analysis, it was found that more than 12 percent of red fox remains and 19 percent of wildcat remains exhibited distinct cut marks, compared to lower percentages in larger game like gazelles and cape hares. These marks suggested both skinning for fur and butchering for meat. Burn marks on some of the bones further supported their use as food.
Implications for Neolithic Societies
The findings underscore the previously overlooked significance of small carnivores in the dietary and economic practices of early Neolithic communities. While earlier studies primarily attributed the presence of such remains to fur trade, these results open new avenues for understanding their role as a dietary staple during this period of societal evolution.
Researchers emphasise the need for additional studies to explore the contributions of small carnivores at other archaeological sites across the southern Levant.
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