One of the oldest known burials of a shaman was discovered by scientists during excavations in Israel, in the area of the Lower Galilee. The specific features of the burial, which archaeologists attribute to the Natufian culture, suggest that an ancient cult was buried here about 12,000 years ago, Reuters reports, citing the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Leore Grosman, head of a group of archaeologists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, notes that the remains of at least 28 people have been found. One of the burials attracted the attention of scientists by the unusual nature of the burial ceremony. The skeleton of an elderly woman was pressed to the ground by more than ten massive stones. They were located on the head, pelvis and arms of the body lying on the side.
The grave also contained 50 tortoiseshells and parts of animal skeletons, in particular an eagle, wild boar, leopard, marten, and cow. The remains of one human leg were also found there. According to scientists, this indicates that the burial place of an ancient cult minister, a shaman, was discovered.
According to the researchers, the found burial is interesting in that it demonstrates an already established set of symbols and attributes of shamanism (eagle wings, animal fur, cow's tails), which later spread widely throughout the world.
Scientists also note that the found grave is not similar to the previously discovered burials of the Natufian culture, which existed in the region around 12500 - 9500 BC. The Natufians were engaged in hunting, fishing and gathering grain from wild-growing cereals. They domesticated dogs and became the forerunners of the early agriculturalists. Some scholars suggest that the Natufians themselves made the transition from gathering to grain cultivation.