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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A recent study has provided crucial insights into the manufacturing techniques used to create the Nebra Sky Disc, an artefact thought to date back 3,800 years to the Early Bronze Age. The analysis challenges claims suggesting the disc could be a modern forgery. Researchers revealed that the disc was crafted through an elaborate “hot forging” process, involving at least ten heating and hammering cycles at temperatures exceeding 700°C, according to Christian-Heinrich Wunderlich, a metallurgist cited by Live Science.
Discovery and Ongoing Debate
The study was published in Scientific Reports on November 21. Unearthed in 1999 near Nebra, Germany, the 12-inch bronze disc, adorned with gold symbols thought to represent celestial bodies, has been the subject of considerable debate. Initial reports lauded it as the oldest known depiction of the sky. However, questions regarding its authenticity arose, including theories suggesting its discovery site might have been staged to enhance its market value.
Experts involved in the study recreated a replica using Early Bronze Age techniques, reportedly. The metallographic comparison between the replica and the original disc identified crystal structures in the bronze consistent with ancient hot forging methods. Wunderlich in a statement to LiveScience said that the copper used in the disc was traced to a specific Austrian mine active during the Early Bronze Age but no longer operational in subsequent eras. This finding undermines suggestions that the artefact might be significantly younger.
Symbolism and Craftsmanship
The disc combines bronze with gold elements using a technique known as damascening. Harald Meller, state archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasised in his statement that the advanced metalworking skills evident in its construction. The gold inlays, possibly depicting the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial elements, have been interpreted as an early astronomical chart.
The artefact remains on display at the Saxony-Anhalt State Museum of Prehistory, celebrated for its historical significance. While disputes surrounding its origins continue, recent findings provide strong evidence supporting its Bronze Age provenance.
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A marble bust, unearthed at the ancient city of Taposiris Magna in Egypt, is believed by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez to depict Cleopatra VII, the renowned Ptolemaic queen linked to Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The discovery, made beneath a temple wall, features a female figure wearing a diadem, a royal headpiece. Reports from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlight that Martinez, who leads the Egyptian-Dominican excavation team, attributes the statue to Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, reigning from 69 to 30 B.C.
Scepticism has been raised by other archaeologists about the identification of the statue. In statements made to Live Science, Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of antiquities, suggested that the artefact likely represents a Roman-era figure rather than Cleopatra. He explained that during Cleopatra’s reign, Egyptian art styles predominated, whereas the Roman style evident in the bust would align with a later period, after Cleopatra’s death in 30 B.C.
Artefacts and Additional Discoveries at Taposiris Magna
Numerous artefacts were uncovered alongside the bust, including 337 coins, some depicting Cleopatra VII, oil lamps, and a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Excavations at the site have also revealed a necropolis with 20 tombs, fragments of other statues, and a previously unknown temple believed to date back to the Ptolemaic period.
Kathleen Martinez, who has led research at Taposiris Magna for over a decade, has previously posited that Cleopatra’s tomb might be located at the site, though this theory lacks consensus among experts. Underwater exploration near the site has also yielded pottery, structures, and human remains, though further studies are required to establish their historical context.
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