Raqefet Cave
Raqefet · Me’arat Raqefet
Late Natufian (c.15000–11800 BCE)·Natufian·🇮🇱 Mount Carmel southeastern slope, Israel
About
About Raqefet Cave
Late Natufian burial cave (c.15000–11800 BCE) on Mount Carmel, excavated by Dani Nadel. Dense Natufian cemetery with decorated burials, stone mortars, flower-lined graves (exceptional phytolith evidence of sage, mint and other flowers), and bone tools.
Why it mattersKey Mount Carmel southeastern slope sequence for Late Natufian (c.15000–11800 BCE); natufian burial cave with floral grave linings.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Raqefet Cave relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Mount Carmel southeastern slope
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; Late Natufian cemetery c.13500 BCE
- Period
- Late Natufian (c.15000–11800 BCE)
- Culture
- Natufian
- Builders
- Natufian communities
- Purpose
- Natufian burial cave with floral grave linings
- Abandoned
- c. 9600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
32.6500° N · 35.0700° E · 250 m · 2 mapped features
Natufian flower graves
graveBurials lined with flower phytolith imprints (sage, mint)
32.6502° N · 35.0703° EBedrock mortar field
featureRow of deep conical stone mortars cut into cave floor
32.6498° N · 35.0697° E
Gallery