fr.euronews.com
37,000-Year-Old Turtle Shell Carving Reveals Ancient Religious Practices in the Middle East
A carved turtle shell found in Israel's Manot Cave provides evidence of a 37,000-year-old ritual, suggesting turtles were a key religious symbol for early Middle Eastern societies. The ritual, involving deer antler tools and communal participation, sheds light on their social structures and adaptation strategies during the Upper Paleolithic.
- What future research could be conducted to further investigate the beliefs, social structures, and cultural practices of this early human community?
- This discovery challenges previous understandings of early religious practices in the Middle East. The turtle's symbolic role suggests a sophisticated spiritual world among early humans, with implications for understanding the development of religious beliefs and social cohesion in the region. Further research could reveal more about the beliefs, practices, and social structures of this early human community.
- How did the communal nature of the ritual surrounding the turtle shell potentially contribute to the survival and success of this early human society?
- The turtle shell carving, unique in its size and detail, is the only one of its kind found in the Upper Paleolithic Levant. This discovery provides crucial insight into the religious practices and social structures of early humans in the region, predating Mesopotamian societies. The ritual's communal nature suggests a successful adaptation strategy for overcoming demographic and economic challenges during the Upper Paleolithic.
- What is the significance of the discovery of a 37,000-year-old carved turtle shell in Manot Cave, Israel, for understanding early religious practices in the Middle East?
- Researchers found evidence of a 37,000-year-old ritual in Manot Cave, Israel, centered around a carved turtle shell. This suggests that turtles held significant religious symbolism for early Middle Eastern societies, possibly representing shelter and protection, as evidenced by their frequent appearance on Stone Age graves. The ritual involved the use of deer antler tools, indicating purposeful carving.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery of a shared religious practice, symbolized by the turtle shell, suggests early forms of social cohesion and community building. This could be interpreted as an early form of social structure and cooperation, contributing to peace and stability within the group. The unification around a shared belief system may have been a successful adaptation strategy to overcome challenges, contributing to the resilience of the community.