🧐 Ancient Beat #138: Early deep-cave rituals, above-ground skull rituals, and maybe Cleopatra

Hi folks! Welcome to issue #138 of Ancient Beat.

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🗞 Ancient News: Top 5

• Earliest Deep-Cave Ritual Compound in Southwest Asia Discovered — Excavations in Manot Cave, located in Galilee, Israel, have uncovered evidence of ritualistic gatherings dating back 35,000 years, marking the earliest such discovery on the Asian continent. The cave's deepest chamber, situated eight stories below the entrance, features a large cavern with natural acoustics conducive to assemblies. A notable find is an engraved rock with a turtle-shell design, deliberately placed in a niche, suggesting it may have served as a totem or spiritual figure. Additionally, traces of wood ash on nearby stalagmites indicate that prehistoric humans used torches to illuminate the chamber.

• The Bow Masters: Neolithic Bows Were Made from Three Types of Wood, and Entwined Tendons — An interdisciplinary study of artifacts from a cave in Albuñol, Granada, has unveiled sophisticated Neolithic archery techniques in the Iberian Peninsula between 5300 and 4900 BCE. Researchers identified Europe's oldest known bowstrings, crafted from twisted tendons of goats, wild boars, and roe deer — a method still used by modern archers. Arrows were constructed using dense olive wood for the front sections and lighter reed wood for the back, bonded with birch bark tar. This combination enhanced the arrows' penetration and flight stability, reflecting advanced craftsmanship of the era.

• Archaeologists Discover Possible Bust of Cleopatra VII at Ancient Egyptian Temple — At the Taposiris Magna temple near Alexandria, Egypt, archaeologists unearthed a white marble bust that may depict Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty. The bust, featuring a royal diadem, has sparked debate, with some arguing it reflects Roman artistic traits and could instead represent a Roman princess or noblewoman. Additional discoveries include a limestone statue of a king with a nemes headdress, 337 coins bearing Cleopatra’s likeness, oil lamps, a bronze ring dedicated to Hathor, engraved amulets, and ceremonial vessels. The site, dating back to around 280 BCE, also revealed a tunnel system, submerged ruins, and a necropolis with over 20 tombs. These findings provide critical insights into the Ptolemaic and early Roman periods.

• Ancient Pyramid Discovered During Road Construction in Hidalgo, Mexico — Construction workers expanding the Pachuca-Huejutla highway in San Agustín Metzquititlán, Hidalgo, Mexico, uncovered a pre-Hispanic pyramid, designated "Structure 1." This site, named "San Miguel" after the nearby town, includes five sectors with at least ten mounds and 155 artifacts such as ceramics, shells, and stone tools. The settlement dates from the Epiclassic period (650–950 CE) to the Late Postclassic period (1350–1519 CE) and may have been linked to the Metzca lordship, a multi-ethnic society in the Sierra Alta region.

  

  Image credit: INAH

• Researchers Discover Neolithic Skull Ritual — At the Neolithic village of Masseria Candelaro in Italy, archaeologists reexamined approximately 400 skull fragments, identifying remains of about 15 males who lived over a span of two centuries. The skulls showed no signs of violent injury or cannibalism; instead, their high fragmentation and smooth surfaces suggest they were frequently handled, possibly during rituals honoring ancestors. It's believed that when the community decided to discontinue this tradition, they collectively buried the skull fragments.

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Until next time, thanks for joining me!

-James
Twitter: @jamesofthedrum

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🗞 Ancient News: Deep Dive