For thousands of years, Manot Cave in Western Galilee, Israel, remained a silent witness to human history. Now, Kent State University’s Linda Spurlock, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Anthropology, and a team of international researchers are being recognized for bringing the secrets of Manot Cave to the surface.
The recently published the research article “” on Dec. 9, 2024. Spurlock co-authored this article along with 25 other anthropologists.
The article provides research and evidence for ancient homo sapiens and Neanderthals’ ritualistic practices. These practices were believed to be held in the deepest, darkest parts of Manot Cave. At nearly seven stories deep, the bottom of the cave could have held 100 people.
The article emphasizes the importance of the findings in Manot Cave. Ritualistic behaviors in dark or deep zones of caves date back 35,000 years ago. Before Manot Cave, similar practices were evidenced in Europe. Now, this is the first example of ritualistic practices in the sub-region of Levant.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the stories that objects tell us about the past,” Spurlock told Kent State Today. “From the moment I first picked up a piece of bone as a child, I knew anthropology was the path for me. To be involved in uncovering something as significant as the discoveries at Manot Cave, it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion.”
Spurlock was invited to the Manot Cave excavation in 2013 by Bruce Latimer, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Biological Anthropology Program at Case Western Reserve University. The project was largely funded by Case Western Reserve University.
“When I was invited by Bruce Latimer to come, I felt happier than I had in years,” Spurlock said. “The idea of working in Israel, unearthing ancient discoveries and bringing students along was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Spurlock was one of few biological anthropologists researching at Manot Cave. She researched there from 2013 to 2018 with many archaeologists.
In 2014, Kent State students also had the unique opportunity to join Spurlock at Manot Cave, working with international researchers and gaining hands-on experience in their field.
“The students absolutely loved it,” Spurlock said. “They have told me over the years, ‘Thank you so much for bringing me to Israel.’ They feel a lot of gratitude for having those experiences, and I’m glad.”
Some of the discoveries at Manot Cave include isolated soot particles trapped within stalactites, which dated about 35,000 years ago. This indicates that torches were likely burned in the depths of the cave.
Isolated bones and teeth were also found within the cave. Spurlock helped to decipher if the bones were human or not.
“There were people from institutions all over the world there. All kinds of researchers, such as specialists in identifying fossil wood, combustion features and micro- and macro-mammal remains, were on-site excavating,” Spurlock said. “Because of this, we’re getting a very good idea of what life was like in this time period.”
The most impactful discoveries from Manot Cave include a 55,000-year-old partial human skull with traces of Neanderthal anatomy. The skull was found by amateur explorers who later gave it to proper authorities.
Also, a stone carved to look like a turtle shell was found at the bottom of the cave. Because of its placement, researchers believe that this was used as a ritualistic totem or spiritual figure.
“The turtle shell is an extraordinary piece of evidence that suggests early humans may have engaged in symbolic behavior,” Spurlock said. “We were picturing that the deep, dark zone of the cave is where people went to have religious experiences or an altered state of mind.”
The excavation presented numerous challenges that pushed Spurlock to her limits. Researchers endured continuous climbing up and down the cave, all during intense heat and humidity.
“We had to go down deep and then come back out several times a day, which was a lot of exercise,” Spurlock said.
Despite the challenges, this experience is one that Spurlock will never forget. The article has garnered substantial media coverage from several publications, including and .
“I never thought I’d be lucky enough to get involved in something this big and important,” Spurlock said. “It is a very big deal, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”