Researchers have discovered a mysterious stone sculpture in the shape of a turtle in the cave of the Holy Land of Manot, located in the Galilee region of northern Israel. Archaeologists believe that people could worship it 35 thousand years ago. This was reported by the Daily Mail, according to UNN.
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It is noted that the stone block, measuring about 20 cm and weighing 28 kg, has characteristic grooves similar to the natural marks on a turtle's shell. Since turtles have long been considered an important “cosmic symbol,” it could have been involved in ancient rituals.
Researchers have already found interesting artifacts in Manot Cave. In particular, in 2015, they identified a 55,000-year-old skull, which provided evidence that modern humans lived and even mated with Neanderthals.
Experts suggest that Neanderthals already worshipped turtle figures as part of public rituals before they went extinct and Homo sapiens adopted this practice.
Scientists from the University of Haifa in Israel and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, who studied the found turtle block, say it dates back 35,000 years. This means that it was made by an intelligent human, not a Neanderthal.
It could represent a totem or a spiritual figure. Its special location, far from the daily activities at the entrance to the cave, suggests that it was an object of worship,
The Manot Cave, discovered in 2008, has been used as a living space for thousands of years by both Neanderthals and humans at different times.
The skull was found in a living quarters near the entrance, but now researchers have discovered a large cave much deeper.
They argue that this secret space “in the deepest and darkest part” of the cave was used as a gathering place, possibly for rituals that “strengthened social cohesion.
The original sculpture of the turtle was originally carved from a dolomite boulder and deliberately placed in a niche in the cave. The engraved boulder stood out because it displayed key “geometric marks that suggest a unique representation of the turtle.
The analysis of the cross-section of the grooves and the noticeable presence of tiny scratches on the walls of the grooves confirmed their man-made or “anthropogenic” origin.
Experts say that turtles have historically been “a cosmic symbol in different cultures.
In Mayan symbolism, the turtle shell represents the earth. Similarly, among the indigenous peoples of North America, it was believed that the world was created on the back of a turtle. Characterized by its distinctive body shape and slow movement, the turtle is seen as the embodiment of the entire cosmos, symbolizing perseverance, strength, power and stability in space and time,
The cave also has natural acoustics favorable for large gatherings, while evidence of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggests that prehistoric humans carried torches to light the room. The researchers added:
We assessed its ability to accommodate a group of people, indicating the potential use of artificial lighting during gatherings. Acoustic tests conducted in various areas of the cave indicate that the ritual structure was well suited for public gatherings, facilitating conversation, speech, and listening,
Overall, according to the authors, the new findings reveal more information about Manot Cave and its ancient inhabitants.