Deep within Manot Cave in Israel's Western Galilee, archaeologists have uncovered a rare prehistoric ritual complex dating back 35,000-37,000 years12. This chamber, located eight stories below the cave entrance, features a carved dolomite boulder resembling a turtle shell, believed to be a totem or spiritual object central to ancient ceremonies13. The spacious area could accommodate up to 100 individuals and boasts natural acoustics suitable for communal gatherings45.

Key features of the ritual chamber include:

• A ring of wood ash, indicating the use of torches for illumination35

• Enhanced natural acoustics, suggesting activities like prayers, singing, and dancing6

• Separation from daily living areas near the cave entrance, emphasizing its sacred nature17

• Possible capacity for up to 100 individuals4

• Association with the Aurignacian culture, known for symbolic objects and cave art in Europe27

This discovery represents the earliest evidence of communal rituals in the Levant, offering insights into the spiritual lives and social structures of Upper Paleolithic humans in the region27.

The tortoise shell has held profound symbolic significance in various cultures, particularly in ancient divination practices. In Chinese culture, the tortoise shell was revered as a source of divine wisdom, with oracle bone inscriptions dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) revealing its use in scapulimancy1. This practice involved carving questions onto the shell, applying heat, and interpreting the resulting cracks as messages from the spiritual realm1.

Similarly, in ancient Japan, tortoise shell divination, known as kiboku, was used to seek guidance on important matters. The diviner would undergo ritual purification for days before the ceremony, praying to the "deities of the divination courtyard"2. The shell was prepared by engraving symbols and applying heat, with the resulting crack patterns interpreted to answer pre-posed questions2. This reverence for tortoise shells in divination practices underscores their symbolic importance as conduits between the earthly and spiritual realms across different cultures.

The ritual complex in Manot Cave, dated to 35,000-37,000 years ago, coincides with the emergence of the Aurignacian culture, known for its symbolic artifacts and cave paintings in Europe12. This cultural influence is evident in the rich archaeological layers near the cave entrance, which yielded Aurignacian-style flint tools, bone and antler implements, and shell beads2. The discovery of a complete deer antler with signs of use in a hidden chamber adjacent to the ritual complex further underscores the Aurignacian connection, as antlers were commonly used as raw material for tools by Upper Paleolithic cultures, including the Aurignacians in the Levant12. This finding suggests that the ritual practices in Manot Cave were likely influenced by established Aurignacian traditions, representing a significant cultural exchange between Europe and the Middle East during this period3.