@article {330864,
	title = {Early human collective practices and symbolism in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Asia},
	journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
	volume = {121},
	year = {2024},
	note = {<p>doi: 10.1073/pnas.2404632121</p>
},
	month = {2024/12/17},
	pages = {e2404632121},
	abstract = {<p>This study presents evidence from the Levant of communal rituals centered around a carved boulder within a distinct hall in the deepest and darkest part of Manot Cave. It expands our understanding of the Upper Paleolithic period beyond material culture and subsistence, delving into the more ephemeral realm of the ritual lives of the people. Identifying communal rituals in the Paleolithic is of scientific importance, as it reflects the expression of collective identity and the maintenance of group cohesion. This study provides evidence indicating the practice of deep cave collective rituals in the Levant during the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) period. It is demonstrated that these gatherings occurred within a distinct ritual compound and were centered around an engraved object in the deepest part of Manot Cave, a pivotal EUP site in southwest Asia. The ritual compound, segregated from the living areas, encompasses a large gallery partitioned by a cluster of remarkable speleothems. Within this gallery, an engraved boulder stands out, displaying geometric signs suggesting a unique representation of a tortoise. Isotopic analysis of calcite crusts on the boulder?s grooves revealed alignment with values found in speleothems from the cave dated to ~37 to 35 ka BP. Additionally, meticulous shape analysis of the grooves? cross-section and the discernible presence of microlinear scratches on the grooves? walls confirmed their anthropogenic origin. Examination of stalagmite laminae (36 ka BP) near the engraved boulder revealed a significant presence of wood ash particles within. This finding provides evidence for using fire to illuminate the dark, deep part of the cave during rituals. Acoustic tests conducted in various cave areas indicate that the ritual compound was well suited for communal gatherings, facilitating conversations, speeches, and hearing. Our results underscore the critical role of collective practices centered around a symbolic object in fostering a functional social network within the regional EUP communities.This study presents evidence from the Levant of communal rituals centered around a carved boulder within a distinct hall in the deepest and darkest part of Manot Cave. It expands our understanding of the Upper Paleolithic period beyond material culture and subsistence, delving into the more ephemeral realm of the ritual lives of the people. Identifying communal rituals in the Paleolithic is of scientific importance, as it reflects the expression of collective identity and the maintenance of group cohesion. This study provides evidence indicating the practice of deep cave collective rituals in the Levant during the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) period. It is demonstrated that these gatherings occurred within a distinct ritual compound and were centered around an engraved object in the deepest part of Manot Cave, a pivotal EUP site in southwest Asia. The ritual compound, segregated from the living areas, encompasses a large gallery partitioned by a cluster of remarkable speleothems. Within this gallery, an engraved boulder stands out, displaying geometric signs suggesting a unique representation of a tortoise. Isotopic analysis of calcite crusts on the boulder?s grooves revealed alignment with values found in speleothems from the cave dated to ~37 to 35 ka BP. Additionally, meticulous shape analysis of the grooves? cross-section and the discernible presence of microlinear scratches on the grooves? walls confirmed their anthropogenic origin. Examination of stalagmite laminae (36 ka BP) near the engraved boulder revealed a significant presence of wood ash particles within. This finding provides evidence for using fire to illuminate the dark, deep part of the cave during rituals. Acoustic tests conducted in various cave areas indicate that the ritual compound was well suited for communal gatherings, facilitating conversations, speeches, and hearing. Our results underscore the critical role of collective practices centered around a symbolic object in fostering a functional social network within the regional EUP communities.</p>
},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2404632121},
	url = {https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2404632121},
	author = {Barzilai, Omry and Marder, Ofer and Tejero, Jos{\'e}-Miguel and Ayalon, Avner and Bar-Matthews, Miryam and Abulafia, Talia and Lavi, Ron and Goder-Goldberger, Mae and Shemer, Maayan and Edeltin, Lotan and Wiegmann, Alexander and Frumkin, Amos and Karasik, Avshalom and Yasur, Gal and Yeshurun, Reuven and Zohar, Irit and Berna, Francesco and Hans, Mark and Goldberg, Jerold S. and McDermott, Yvonne and Spurlock, Linda and Pokhojaev, Ariel and Habashi, Waseem and May, Hila and Sarig, Rachel and Hershkovitz, Israel}
}
