Archaeologists have uncovered what may be some of the world’s oldest known burials in a prehistoric cave in central Israel. The remains, carefully placed in small graves and coated in red pigment, suggest that early humans practiced ritual burials nearly 100,000 years ago.
Researchers found skeletons of at least two individuals, an adult and a child, along with three skulls and other human bones. Flint tools and animal remains were also recovered, indicating the site was an active settlement. The findings were reported Tuesday in Nature Human Behavior.
The burials, found at Tinshemet Cave east of Ben-Gurion Airport, are considered among the earliest examples of intentional human graves. Experts say this marks a turning point in human history when early Homo sapiens developed symbolic thought and complex social structures.
“The discoveries at Tinshemet Cave are probably going to be the most important finds in the region from the last 50 years,” said Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London, who was not involved in the study.
The discovery supports evidence that early humans buried their dead and performed funerary rituals. The presence of red pigment, animal bones, and grave goods suggests these individuals were honored in death, reflecting a growing sense of community and shared beliefs.
Around 100,000 years ago, at least two human species—early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals—inhabited what is now Israel. Evidence from other sites in the region, including Qafzeh and Skhul caves in northern Israel, suggests these groups interacted and possibly exchanged cultural traditions.
The burials at Tinshemet Cave align with those earlier discoveries, reinforcing that burial practices were developing among different human populations. Researchers believe the two species may have influenced each other’s customs despite their biological differences.
Archaeologists first noticed prehistoric stone tools at Tinshemet Cave in 1940, but systematic excavations did not begin until 2017. A team from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University has since uncovered many artifacts, including flint tools, animal bones, and human remains.
Dating techniques suggest humans occupied the cave between 130,000 and 80,000 years ago, with the burials taking place closer to 100,000 years ago. This timeline matches that of burials found at Qafzeh and Skhul, previously recognized as the oldest intentional graves in the region.
Some scientists have argued that burials date back even further. A 2023 study suggested that Homo naledi, a small-brained human relative in southern Africa, may have buried its dead in caves around 250,000 years ago. However, this claim remains highly debated, with many researchers questioning the evidence.
The findings at Tinshemet Cave contribute to the expanding knowledge of early human behavior, providing insight into how ancient communities treated their dead and established social connections. As excavations continue, archaeologists aim to uncover evidence of how burial traditions evolved in prehistoric societies.
