Tabun cave, Prehistoric cave in Mount Carmel, Israel
Tabun Cave is a large cavern on the western slope of Mount Carmel with multiple interconnected chambers extending into the hillside. Parts of the ceiling have collapsed, allowing light to penetrate deep into the rock and exposing the layered deposits within.
Archaeological excavations in the 1930s uncovered evidence of human settlement spanning hundreds of thousands of years within the cave layers. The deposits reveal how inhabitants adapted to shifts in their environment over these vast time periods.
The cave shows traces of different ancient populations who settled here over long periods. Visitors can see how various groups adapted to life in these chambers and adapted to their surroundings.
The site is located within Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve with marked paths and informational signs throughout the cave. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and cool temperatures that stay consistent regardless of the season outside.
Lower layers contain sand blown from the coastal plains, while upper layers hold clay that seeped through an opening at the cave's top. This layering helps scientists read environmental changes across hundreds of thousands of years.
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