Located in northern Israel, Manot Cave was discovered in 2008 and has since yielded important archaeological finds such as a 55.000-year-old human skull, the oldest known example of modern humans outside of Africa.
But now, a group of archaeologists has discovered evidence of a complex prehistoric ritual carried out approximately 35.000 years ago, considered the oldest example of collective worship practices in the Levant region.
The complex is naturally delimited by impressive stalagmites that form a distinctive entrance, and at its centre is a rock engraved with geometric patterns resembling a turtle's shell, which could have functioned as a totem or spiritual figure.
The research team, led by experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, Haifa University and Ben-Gurion University, confirmed that the carving was intentionally made and placed away from areas of daily activity on purpose.
“The turtle shell design and special location indicate that it was a cult object,” said team member Omry Barzilai, adding that tests using specialized microscopes confirmed that the engravings are the work of human hands and that the space has natural acoustic characteristics that would have created a unique listening experience during community activities such as prayers, singing and dancing.
In this discovery, of this cave, is there any allusion that the rituals were dedicated to the God Jehovah?
Ha ha, and a 35,000-year-old human skull. It is certain that it is not more than 5,000 years old. We must not forget that it was the same “archaeologists” who made many statements that were later found to be untrue. If human beings had existed for so many years, today we would be clapping upright and walking sideways because of the number of people on earth. 35,000 years… pure nonsense!