Hayonim Cave
Hayonim · Me’arat Hayonim
Middle Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic (c.250 ka–3500 BCE)·Mousterian → Aurignacian → Kebaran → Natufian → Chalcolithic·🇮🇱 Western Galilee, Wadi Hayonim, Israel
About
About Hayonim Cave
Multi-period cave (6 m deposits) above the Hayonim terrace, excavated by Tamar Noy and Anna Belfer-Cohen. Sequence Mousterian (Tabun-type, 250 ka) → Aurignacian (bone flutes, 30 ka) → Kebaran–Natufian with rich bone tools, art and the famous Natufian ‘Hayonim burial’ with dog and ochre.
Why it mattersKey Western Galilee, Wadi Hayonim sequence for Middle Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic (c.250 ka–3500 BCE); cave base and natufian cemetery with art and bone industry.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Hayonim Cave relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Western Galilee
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural cave; intensive Natufian c.15000–12000 BCE
- Period
- Middle Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic (c.250 ka–3500 BCE)
- Culture
- Mousterian → Aurignacian → Kebaran → Natufian → Chalcolithic
- Builders
- Mousterian communities
- Purpose
- Cave base and Natufian cemetery with art and bone industry
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
32.9200° N · 35.2100° E · 250 m · 2 mapped features
Natufian cemetery
cemeteryBurials with bone tools, shell beads and dog association
32.9202° N · 35.2103° EAurignacian horizon
layerAurignacian bone points and flutes (30 ka)
32.9198° N · 35.2097° E
Gallery