Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a cave used by pre-Neanderthal human-like creatures as long as 400,000 years ago, making it one of the few accessible sites from this little-known period. Located near the town of Fureidis in northern Israel, the cave was slated for construction when researchers decided to investigate.
Discovery and Dating
Originally thought to be 200,000 years old based on 1970s assessments, the cave's true age was revealed by archaeologist Kobi Vardi of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Ron Shimelmitz, an associate professor at the University of Haifa. They found flint tools—hand axes, scrapers, and blades—characteristic of the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture, dating the site to up to 400,000 years ago. Vardi told CNN that “it was a big surprise” to find the cave much older than previously thought.
Evidence of Complex Camp Life
The team also discovered bones from fallow deer and gazelle, suggesting large groups of hominins lived together, hunted wild animals, and used fire. “Suggesting complex and rich camp life,” Shimelmitz said in a statement published by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 11. However, no significant human remains from this period have been found in any of the caves discovered so far.
