Researchers, including those behind a 2008 paper, have interpreted the elaborate burial as fitting a shaman's grave — a spiritual figure believed to mediate between worlds. Rare grave goods like leopard remains and the tortoise-shell-shaped oval pit reinforce this reading, and for years afterward 27 others were buried near her, suggesting lasting ritual importance.
Me‘arat H̱illazon Taẖtit burial interpreted as a Natufian shaman's grave
IsraelGeneral
Key facts
- The grave goods are substantially more numerous and diverse than any other Natufian grave discovered, with a specific arrangement suggesting a brand new burial tradition
- The site is 10 km from the nearest known Natufian settlement, indicating a huge effort was undertaken for the internment
- For years following the woman's death, 27 additional people including men, women, children, and a baby were buried in close proximity to her
- A 2008 paper describes the burial as consistent with expectations for a shaman's grave, as shamans mediated between the human and spirit worlds as messengers, healers, and magicians
- Leopards are extremely rare in a Natufian context, further emphasizing the importance of the woman
- Male gazelle horn cores were believed by Natufians to have both functional and spiritual uses and have appeared in other Natufian graves
- The oval shape of the grave resembles a tortoise shell, which in some cultures symbolizes earth creation, longevity, protection, and immortality in the cycle of life
- Artwork at Structure 2 at Wadi Hammeh 27 resembles the natural pattern of a tortoise shell, supporting the tortoise as an important animal to the Natufians
- The burial dates to a major transition period of human development at the start of the Neolithic
Site mentioned
Sources
12000-Year-Old Shaman Funeral Reflects Natufian-Period Changesbiblicalarchaeology.org
Located in northern Israel, the Hilazon Tachtit Cave was where the Natufian-period burial was discovered. Photo: Leore Grosman. “The remnants of a ritual event ...
The Animal Woman - Mediumsarahjanesdreams.medium.com
Alongside the tortoise shells and bones, the burial niche at Hilazon Tachtit ... A 12,000-year-old Shaman burial from the southern Levant ...
Grave of the Middle East's Oldest Witch - Magazine Issue Archivearchive.archaeology.org
Last year, they discovered the 12,000-year-old remains of a female shaman, who was buried with an unusual collection of artifacts, including 50 tortoise shells.
Hilazon Tachtit Cavearchaeology.huji.ac.il
Analysis of small knapping debris showed that the burial of the shaman was the first activity at the site, and the cave became a sacred place for burial rituals ...
Ancient Sorcerer's "Wake" Was First Feast for the Dead?nationalgeographic.com
At the bottom of one pit lay the 45-year-old shaman—quite elderly for Natufian times—buried with at least 70 tortoise shells [NM2] and parts of ...
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