Ancient Caves in Israel Preserve Earliest Evidence of Burial Rituals from 120,000 Years Ago

In ancient caves in Israel, researchers discovered the first signs of burial rituals from 120,000 years ago.

Preserved From 120,000 Years Ago

Burial traditions reflect diverse cultural customs honoring the departed, deeply rooted in history and globally varied. Tracing their precise origin proves challenging due to limited site preservation. The earliest known evidence suggests their existence during the Middle Paleolithic period, approximately 300,000 to 30,000 years ago.

According to Mary Stiner, an anthropology professor at the University of Arizona, clear signs of intentionally buried human remains date back at least 120,000 years. Although older burials are possible, the most compelling early instances are linked to the Middle Paleolithic era, particularly among Homo sapiens. Contentious research suggests that extinct human relatives may have practiced burial around 300,000 years ago in present-day South Africa, sparking debate within the scientific community.

The earliest anatomically modern human burials, about 120,000 years old, have been discovered in caves like Qafzeh Cave in modern Israel. Remarkably, Neanderthal burials within the same caves date back approximately 115,000 years. These caves served as crucial centers for Middle Paleolithic human activities.

Earliest Evidence of Intentional Burial Rituals

Early cave burials, as researched by individuals like Stiner, are believed to be purposeful human acts, not the result of natural events like cave collapses. This assertion is substantiated by the positioning of bones in death postures, sometimes resembling the fetal position, the presence of human artifacts, and signs of sediment disturbance to create burial spaces.

Stiner's team discovered that these occurrences tend to cluster within caves, implying a deliberate pattern. While the precise origins of burial practices remain enigmatic, ancient humans likely had compelling motives to inter their deceased, both within and outside of caves. Trish Biers, curator at the Duckworth Laboratory in the Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies at the University of Cambridge, points out that humans, like many other animals, possess an inherent aversion to the decay process, which is unpleasant to witness.

Addressing the practical challenges posed by decomposing corpses, odor, flies, pathogens, and scavengers likely prompted early forms of body disposal or burials. These practices evolved over time, initially driven by pragmatic concerns before acquiring more sophisticated cultural and symbolic significance.

Burial Practices by Region

The progression of burials in the Upper Paleolithic era, from simple to complex, wasn't necessarily linear. A 2013 study by the Oxford University Press revealed that elaborate burials in Eurasia occurred sporadically between 45,000 and 10,000 years ago, with most burials being plain and including everyday objects. Few Upper Paleolithic burials have been discovered, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about their nature and significance, which also varied by region.

According to Trish Biers, burial practices were influenced by diverse factors, such as environmental conditions and available materials. Cremation burials emerged much later, with the oldest known example, Mungo Lady, dating back about 40,000 years in Australia. Biers finds the variability in death practices fascinating, both as a teacher and researcher in this field.