Qafzeh: Oldest Intentional Burial

Qafzeh: Oldest Intentional Burial

Exhibit item

Date of discovery: 

1933

Discovered by: 

R. Neuville

Age: 

About 100,000 years old

Site: 

Qafzeh

Intentional burial

At Qafzeh, Israel, the remains of as many as 15 individuals were found in a cave, along with 71 pieces of red ocher and ocher-stained stone tools. The ocher was found near the bones, suggesting it was used in a ritual.