35,000-year-old Neanderthal cave reveals secrets of ancient human rituals

Researchers have unearthed new information about the ritualistic practices of prehistoric humans in the Levant, offering evidence that Manot Cave was more than just a shelter—it was a site for communal gatherings and possibly spiritual ceremonies 35,000 years ago.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University, alongside archaeologists, have unearthed compelling details about how the cave's deepest chamber served as a focal point for prehistoric rituals.

The study reveals a stark division between the living quarters near the cave's entrance and a cavernous chamber eight stories below. The latter, isolated in darkness, features a distinctive carved boulder shaped like a tortoise or turtle.

Positioned in a niche, this rock is believed to have served as a totem or spiritual artifact. “Its special location, far from the daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship,” explains Omry Barzilai, the lead archaeologist.

A chamber of fire and sound

The cavern's natural acoustics and the presence of wood ash on stalagmites point to the use of torches to illuminate the space, indicating deliberate preparation for gatherings. A particular stalagmite revealed soot residue dating back 36,000 years, suggesting the use of fire to create temporary light sources for these rituals.

Unlike typical hearths, there were no signs of long-term fire usage in the chamber, reinforcing the theory that fire was purposefully brought in for ceremonial events.

Manot Cave has a rich history of archaeological significance. Discovered accidentally in 2008, it has yielded insights into both Neanderthal and modern human life. In 2015, researchers from Case Western Reserve identified a 55,000-year-old skull in the cave, providing tangible evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.

The new findings suggest that Manot Cave’s deepest chamber was likely a gathering space for rituals that enhanced social bonds. The engraved turtle-like rock, contemporary with ancient European cave art, may have been central to these activities.

Rituals and more

The cave's timeline also aligns with a broader cultural narrative. Neanderthals disappeared around 40,000 years ago, leaving behind a genetic legacy within modern humans. This context makes it unlikely that Neanderthals used fire in Manot Cave’s ritual chamber, but it doesn’t rule out their potential for ritualistic behaviors elsewhere.

"The Manot Cave ritual compound also marks the shift to animal representations. While early engravings, evident in the Middle Stone Age and Middle Paleolithic sites such as Blombos, Qafzeh, and Gorham Caves, were simple (the incised patterns consisted of lines, chevrons, and triangles), and usually applied to portable objects, no animal representations are evident," the researchers write in the study.

"In the Upper Paleolithic, there is a shift to animal representations, as shown in the European cave parietal and portable art."

This discovery adds a cultural layer to our understanding of prehistoric life in the Levant. Manot Cave was not just a place of survival but also a space for symbolic expression, community, and possibly spiritual practice.

The study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.