Manot Cave, Archaeological cave in Western Galilee, Israel
Manot Cave is an archaeological site in Western Galilee with interconnected lower chambers running north to south. The cavern displays varying widths and contains layered deposits that remained sealed and unchanged for millennia.
The cave holds a partial human skull dated to 54,700 years ago, marking the earliest known trace of modern humans outside Africa. This discovery reshapes understanding of when people first migrated to expand beyond the African continent.
The cave serves as a place where visitors can reflect on human migration and settlement patterns across continents. It holds meaning for those interested in understanding how people first spread beyond Africa.
Visiting the cave requires prior arrangement with the Israel Antiquities Authority, as it remains an active research location. Access availability may vary depending on current excavation work, so advance planning is necessary.
A natural rockfall combined with growing stalagmites sealed the cave completely around 15,000 years ago, leaving all layers undisturbed. This accidental preservation turned it into a rare time capsule from prehistoric times.
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