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Field photo of skeletons, an adult and adolescent, left, and a reconstruction of the double burial (Image: E Gerstein).
THE EARLIEST EVIDENCE of using flower beds for burial, dating back to 13,700 years ago, has been discovered in a cave in Mount Carmel, Israel.
In an excavation led by the University of Haifa, four different graves from the Natufian period, revealed dozens of impressions of Salvia plants and other species of sedges and mints under human skeletons.
Professor Dani Nadel of the University of Haifa said that this is further evidence that as far back as 13,700 years ago, “our ancestors had burial rituals similar to ours nowadays”.
The Natufians, who lived some 15,000 to 11,500 years ago were the first in the world to abandon the nomadic way of life and settle in permanent settlements.
They were also among the first to establish cemeteries – confined areas in which they buried their community members for generations. These were usually located at the first chambers of caves or on terraces below.
One of these cemeteries, containing 29 skeletons of babies, children and adults was discovered at Raqufet Cave on Mount Carmel. The plant impressions were found in four graves, on a thin layer of mud veneer which was presumably spread like plaster inside the grave.
(Image: E Gerstein)
The impressions are mostly plants with square stems, common among the mint family. In one incident flowering stems of Judaen Sage were found, one of three Sage species currently growing in the vicinity of the cave.
(Image: E Gerstein)
These findings have led researchers to suggest that the burials were conducted in springtime, using colourful and aromatic flower and are the earliest examples of this happening.
Samples from three different human skeletons in the cave were dated to 13,700 to 11,700 years ago.
(Image: E Bartov)
“The Natifians lived at a time of many changes – a time when population density was rising and the struggle for land, food and resources was increasing,” Nadel said. “The establishment of graveyards and unique burial rituals reflects the complexity of the Natufian society.”
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That can’t be right. The bible clearly tells us that the earth is only 6000/7000 years old LMFAO
LMFAO indeed.
Yeh, but parts of the Old Testament were written 7,500BC. So the world was only 7,000 yrs old at the time of writing. So the timelines fit in this scenario.
Yes and the authors dated their articles. !!!!
Everyone knows that Palestinian goat herders from 2000 years ago were brilliant geologists, astronomers, biologists and physicists, modern scientists haven’t a clue, it’s why religion only needs one book and science needs thousands.
:p
Moron
Yes it’s true. The Earth was created 6000 years ago. about 1000 years after the Sumerians invented glue :P
Ussher’s Chronology is not considered dogma by any of the major sects of any of the Abrahamic religions.
Haha sure as a bishop admitted it’s just a metaphor :-P
I love stories like this.
Yeah….. Science, Bitch!
How sweet….. Compassion and respect for the dead….. When we are led to believe they were all barbaric …..
That can’t be true as that would mean civilization is a lot older than we’re told! Ridiculous article. I’m gonna report this straight to the pope! Ha
The catholic church never said the earth is a few thousand years old.
Yeah they like to concentrate on hating gays and raping children. No time for trivial stuff like that.
I am in no way trying to defend the church for there sickening actions, I am just saying they never said the earth was a few thousand years old.
*their
The earth is flat I believe …..
Why do people bring bloody religion into everything. YAWN.
Maybe as that’s the history we’ve been taught for as long as I remember anyway. Who would dare suggest an alternative history! I’d imagine most people accept the bible version as there is no mainstream alternative!
Because this is clear proof as to the bullshit that is religion. That’s why.
This is not clear proof Karol. Clear proof is a process called uranium dating that tells us that the earth is at least 4.5billion years old. We have clear proof so now let’s just move on and discuss the topic in question.
Gary,
This is clear proof.
Karol I don’t think you understand the concept of “clear proof” but don’t worry about it. Your mere 6,000year difference V my 4,499,986,300year difference now that’s clear proof. ;)
So we both agree that this outdates “creation” by 6 to 7 thousand years. I’ve got 2 words for you.
Clear
Proof
Burials took place in Springtime, what the heck did they do with the corpses that died throughout the rest of the year?
These burials, not all burials.
Stew.
Good idea to cover the stench if you’re burying bodies beside where you’re living..
Brace yourselves…..an atheist love fest is coming.
Maybe we’ll find Noah’s Ark next… LoL
Lol…don’t hold your breath.
I believe bits of it was discovered in 2010. There was a Discovery documentary about it a while back.
Yeah that never happened. Some creationist said he found it but it was totally debunked. Come on an Ark with 2 kinds of every animal on earth built by a 600 year old man to survive a world wide flood?? Maybe they swallow that in the US but I like to think we are a bit more intelligent here in Ireland.
In 15,000 years archaeologists will look at the remains of our country and say: “oh look they had bondholders 15000 years ago, they’re just like us”
They’ll look at the fossils of FG members and deduce that people used to have their heads up their arse.
Pick the bones outa that
And they said that diamonds are forever!?
have your say