In Israel, a 100,000-year-old burial site with people in fetal position was found

Archaeologists have discovered one of the earliest known human burials in the Tinshemet Cave in central Israel. According to the Associated Press, the remains of five ancient humans were carefully placed in pits in a fetal position. The age of the findings is estimated at 100-110 thousand years.

Specialists began work in the cave in 2016 and over nearly a decade discovered two almost complete skeletons, three skulls, and numerous bone and tooth fragments. Next to them were items that had no practical significance: basalt stones, animal bones, and pieces of ochre – a pigment obtained by heating iron-containing rocks. According to scientists, such artifacts indicate the performance of funeral rites and the presence of spiritual concepts among ancient humans.

"In fact, this is the first evidence of such behavior," says Professor Yosi Zeidner, who led the excavations.

The items found in Tinshemet indicate a developed system of behavior not directly related to survival and food procurement. This is also confirmed by the presence of more than 500 fragments of ochre, likely used to decorate bodies or objects, as well as the good preservation of the skeletons, which was ensured by ash from frequent fires and the peculiarities of local geology.

Professor of anthropology from the University of Connecticut, Christian Tryon, added that the data from Tinshemet complements findings made earlier in the Skhul and Qafzeh caves in northern Israel. At that time, scientists could not accurately determine the dating and nature of the burials, but now it has become clear that this was a systematic practice.

It has not yet been possible to determine which species the humans discovered in Tinshemet belonged to. Israel at that time was at the crossroads of migration routes from Europe and Africa.