Contrary to conventional scientific belief: Homo sapiens and Neanderthals were not enemies and even cooperated

New research conducted in the Tanshemesh Cave in central Israel reveals that ancient humans lived together, shared technologies, and even maintained extensive cultural and social ties. * Prof. Yossi Seidman from the Hebrew University, the lead researcher, says that even 110 years ago, Israel served as a melting pot

A new discovery from excavations at the Tanshemesh Cave in central Israel is changing our understanding of human interactions during the Middle Paleolithic period in the Near East. The cave, which has emerged as a site rich in archaeological and anthropological finds, has revealed a number of human graves – the first from the Middle Paleolithic period to be discovered in more than fifty years..

The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behavior  It is the first publication on Tanshemt Cave and presents new evidence that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens who lived in the area not only coexisted, but also shared essential aspects of daily life, technology, and burial practices. These findings highlight the complexity of their interactions and suggest that the connections between the groups were deeper and more significant than previously assumed..

The excavations at Tanshemesh Cave, led since 2017 by Prof. Yossi Seidner of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Israel Hershkowitz of Tel Aviv University, and Dr. Marion Perow of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Aim to examine the nature of the relationships between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals in the Near East of the Middle Paleolithic period. Were they rivals competing for resources, peaceful neighbors, or even cooperating??

By combining data from four key research areas – stone tool production, hunting strategies, symbolic behavior and social complexity – the study suggests that different human groups, including Neanderthals, pre-Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, were involved in significant interactions. These interactions contributed to the transfer of knowledge and the cultural uniformity of the populations. The study suggests that these connections contributed to social complexity and behavioral innovations. For example, formal burial customs began to appear in Israel about 120,000 years ago, and they were the first in the world, likely as a result of increased social connections. One of the fascinating discoveries at Tanshemt Cave is the extensive use of mineral pigments, especially ochre, which appears to have been used to decorate the body. This behavior may have served to socially distinguish different groups.

The concentration of graves in the Tanshemt Cave raises intriguing questions about its role in Middle Paleolithic society. Was the site used as a dedicated cemetery? If so, this may indicate shared rituals and strong community ties. The placement of significant objects – such as stone tools, animal bones and ochre blocks – in the graves of the deceased may also hint at early beliefs in the afterlife..

Prof. Seidner Describes Israel as a “melting pot” where different human groups met, formed connections, and influenced each other. “Our data shows that connections between human populations have been a central factor in the development of technological and cultural innovation throughout history,” he explains..

Dr. Pervo highlights the region's unique location at the crossroads of human migrations. "During the Middle Paleolithic period, improved climatic conditions increased the carrying capacity of the region, leading to demographic expansion and increased contacts between different human species."."

Prof. Hershkowitz He adds that the connections between the lifestyles of different human groups in the Levant suggest deep relationships and shared adaptive strategies. "The findings paint a picture of dynamic interactions that were influenced by both cooperation and competition."."

The discoveries at Tanshemesh Cave provide fascinating insights into the social structures, symbolic behaviors, and daily lives of ancient human groups. They reveal a period of profound demographic and cultural change, and shed new light on the complex web of relationships that shaped the world of our ancestors. As excavations continue, Tanshemesh Cave is expected to continue to provide even deeper insights into the origins of human society..

for the scientific article

More of the topic in Hayadan:

• Out of Africa: In the wake of modern man and the Neanderthals he met
• New DNA research changes the origins of the human race
• Were other human species the first victims of the sixth mass extinction?