Bats in Tinshemet Cave, Israel.
Share this @internewscast.com

ARCHAEOLOGISTS may have found the oldest burial site in the world – after discovering carefully arranged human remains dating back 100,000 years.

Boffins made the groundbreaking find at a bat-infested cave in Israel – where they unearthed ancient yet well-preserved bodies in neat formations.

Bats in Tinshemet Cave, Israel.
Archaeologists may have found the oldest burial site in the worldCredit: AP
Archaeologists excavating an ancient burial site.
Boffins have discovered carefully arranged human remains dating back 100,000 yearsCredit: AP
Archaeologists excavating a 100,000-year-old burial site.
Professor of Archaeology Yossi Zaidner (C) works in Tinshemet CaveCredit: AP
Map showing the location of the Tinshemet Cave in Israel, and photos of an archeological dig at the site.

The jaw-dropping discovery may mark itself as the oldest burial site in the world.

Archaeologists have shown great interest in the items discovered alongside the remains, which might have been used in ceremonies or rituals to pay respect to the deceased.

These pieces of evidence could shed light on how ancient ancestors thought about the afterlife.

One of the directors of the cutting-edge excavation Yossi Zaidner hailed the find as “an amazing revolutionary innovation for our species”.

The discoveries at Tinshemet Cave in central Israel were published in an academic journal earlier this year.

They build on previous discoveries in northern Israel and add to a growing understanding of the origins of human burial.

Since 2016, researchers at Tinshemet have claimed to uncover the remains of five ancient humans, dating back approximately 110,000 to 100,000 years.

The fascinating skeletal remains were found arranged in fetal positions in a deep pit.

Objects found around them included basalt pebbles, animal remains or fragments of ochre.

Since these curious objects had no use for daily life, scientists believe they were part of burying rituals.

Incredible ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago home to the Americas’ oldest civilization uncovered in Peru

Tinshemet Cave is located in the hills of central Israel – and is filled with squeaking fruit bats.

Zaidner mentioned that there is a stone mound both inside and outside the cave, describing it as one of the top three or four essential locations for studying human evolution and behavior during the Paleolithic era.

The Paleolithic era is known as the Stone Age because of the onset of stone tools.

It lasted from as early as 3.3 million years ago until around 10,000 years ago.

Tinshemet Cave is from the Middle Paleolithic era, roughly between 250,000 to 30,000 years ago.

Findings from the extraordinary cave were published in March – with a key discovery being the remains of five early humans.

Researchers are now using hand chisels and delicate, pen-sized pneumatic drills that resemble dental tools, to pick apart their findings.

But they will need many more years to fully excavate the site.

Archaeologist excavating 100,000-year-old burial site.
Th full excavation will take yearsCredit: AP
Archaeologists excavating a 100,000-year-old burial site.
Researchers found fascinating objects near the remainsCredit: AP

A dozen archaeology students have spread out across the site, painstakingly documenting and removing each fragment of tool, object or bone.

Archaeology professor Christian Tryon said: “Tinshemet is exceptionally important to archaeologists because the local climate preserved the bones, tools, and ornaments in good condition, unlike many other parts of the world where these items were lost to time.”

The high quality of preservation is said to be because of ash from frequent fires, possibly from rituals.

The large amount of ash mixed with rainfall and Israel’s acidic limestone, created optimal conditions for preservation, the professor added.

One skeleton was in such good condition that archaeologists could see how the skeleton’s fingers were interwoven, with their hands clasped beneath their head.

Tyron said the new finds at Tinshemet Cave back up earlier digs at Skhul and Qafzeh caves, showing early humans were starting to bury their dead more widely.

The older sites, dug decades ago, left many questions, but Tinshemet’s precise dating confirms the pattern.

Some experts even argue burials may go back 200,000 years – citing the Homo naledi in South Africa.

But many scientists doubt the claims, saying there is not enough evidence and calling the ideas controversial.

Bats in Tinshemet Cave, Israel.
The fruit bat-infested Tinshemet Cave is located in central IsraelCredit: AP
Volunteer archaeologist working at an excavation site.
The remains were well-preserved due to certain conditionsCredit: AP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister, citing Thatcher inspiration

Sanae Takaichi Makes History as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Drawing Inspiration from Margaret Thatcher

As the United Kingdom recently commemorated the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth,…
Bryan Kohberger says he was diagnosed with 4 mental disorders before guilty plea: report

Kohberger’s Legal Team Criticizes GoFundMe Support for Victims’ Families

In a recent development in the case of Bryan Kohberger, the convicted…
Man who sent 'So I raped you' message to New Jersey woman sentenced for 2013 Gettysburg College campus assault

New Jersey Woman’s Assailant Sentenced for 2013 Campus Assault Following Disturbing Message

A man who admitted to sexually assaulting a woman in college in…
Trump nominates new Army vice chief with current general just two years into the role

President Trump Appoints New Army Vice Chief, Replacing Current General After Just Two Years

In a move attracting attention in Washington, President Donald Trump has put…
North Carolina man recounts shooting after Trump banner torn from mother’s yard: 'Some people just snap'

North Carolina Man Reflects on Shooting Incident Over Torn Trump Banner: A Tale of Sudden Anger

A troubling incident in North Carolina has captured attention, as a man…
Trump threatens Hamas if Gaza ceasefire collapses as JD Vance to visit Israel

Trump Issues Warning to Hamas Amid Gaza Ceasefire Concerns; JD Vance Plans Visit to Israel

In a recent announcement regarding Vice President JD Vance’s upcoming visit to…
Mickey Mouse surprises L.A. kids and teaches them the "Hot Dog!" dance from the 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+'

Mickey Mouse Delights L.A. Kids with a Surprise “Hot Dog!” Dance Lesson

LOS ANGELES — Amid joyful cheers and energetic music, Mickey Mouse made…
Charlotte teen arrested 111 times in 2 years still walking free in soft-on-crime blue city: police

Charlotte Teen’s 111 Arrests: A Startling Tale of Crime and Consequence in a Lenient City

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the community grapples with the troubling case of…
King David hotel kicked a woman out of a main suite — JD Vance wanted it

King David Hotel Evicts Woman from Main Suite to Accommodate JD Vance

Veep’s Kingly Mideast move A well-connected acquaintance is currently in Jerusalem, mingling…
Attempted murder suspect with four prior cases walks free on $9.5K bond after brutal trail attack

Suspect in Attempted Murder, with Four Prior Charges, Released on $9.5K Bond Following Violent Trail Assault

Florida trail attack suspect escorted to sheriff’s cruiser Jacoby Tillman, a 23-year-old…
Blue Jays beat Mariners in Game 7 of ALCS, now face Dodgers in World Series

Blue Jays Triumph Over Mariners in ALCS Finale, Set to Face Dodgers in World Series Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners, clinching a 4-3…
'21st Century Digital Watergate': Another GOP Senator’s Phone Records Were Targeted by Biden’s DOJ

Biden’s DOJ Under Fire: Allegations of Targeting GOP Senator’s Phone Records in ‘Digital Watergate’ Scandal

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has reportedly had his phone records subpoenaed…