Evidence from Tinshemet Cave in Israel suggests behavioural uniformity across Homo groups in the Levantine mid-Middle Palaeolithic circa 130,000–80,000 years ago

Yossi Zaidner (), Marion Prévost, Ruth Shahack-Gross, Lior Weissbrod, Reuven Yeshurun, Naomi Porat, Gilles Guérin, Norbert Mercier, Asmodée Galy, Christophe Pécheyran, Gaëlle Barbotin, Chantal Tribolo, Hélène Valladas, Dustin White, Rhys Timms, Simon Blockley, Amos Frumkin, David Gaitero-Santos, Shimon Ilani, Sapir Ben-Haim, Antonella Pedergnana, Alyssa V. Pietraszek, Pedro García, Cristiano Nicosia, Susan Lagle, Oz Varoner, Chen Zeigen, Dafna Langgut, Onn Crouvi, Sarah Borgel, Rachel Sarig, Hila May and Israel Hershkovitz
Additional contact information
Yossi Zaidner: Hebrew University
Marion Prévost: Hebrew University
Ruth Shahack-Gross: University of Haifa
Lior Weissbrod: Israel Antiquities Authority
Reuven Yeshurun: University of Haifa
Naomi Porat: Geological Survey of Israel
Gilles Guérin: LSCE/IPSL, UMR CEA-CNRS-UVSQ 8212 CEA Saclay
Norbert Mercier: UMR 6034 CNRS-Université Bordeaux Montaigne
Asmodée Galy: UMR 6034 CNRS-Université Bordeaux Montaigne
Christophe Pécheyran: E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM
Gaëlle Barbotin: E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM
Chantal Tribolo: UMR 6034 CNRS-Université Bordeaux Montaigne
Hélène Valladas: LSCE/IPSL, UMR CEA-CNRS-UVSQ 8212 CEA Saclay
Dustin White: Royal Holloway, University of London
Rhys Timms: Royal Holloway, University of London
Simon Blockley: Royal Holloway, University of London
Amos Frumkin: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
David Gaitero-Santos: Hebrew University
Shimon Ilani: Geological Survey of Israel
Sapir Ben-Haim: Hebrew University
Antonella Pedergnana: University of Zurich
Alyssa V. Pietraszek: University of Haifa
Pedro García: University of Haifa
Cristiano Nicosia: Università di Padova
Susan Lagle: University of Haifa
Oz Varoner: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Chen Zeigen: Hebrew University
Dafna Langgut: Tel Aviv University
Onn Crouvi: Geological Survey of Israel
Sarah Borgel: Tel Aviv University
Rachel Sarig: Tel Aviv University
Hila May: Tel Aviv University
Israel Hershkovitz: Tel Aviv University

Nature Human Behaviour, 2025, vol. 9, issue 5, 886-901

Abstract: Abstract The south Levantine mid-Middle Palaeolithic (mid-MP; ~130–80 thousand years ago (ka)) is remarkable for its exceptional evidence of human morphological variability, with contemporaneous fossils of Homo sapiens and Neanderthal-like hominins. Yet, it remains unclear whether these hominins adhered to discrete behavioural sets or whether regional-scale intergroup interactions could have homogenized mid-MP behaviour. Here we report on our discoveries at Tinshemet Cave, Israel. The site yielded articulated Homo remains in association with rich assemblages of ochre, fauna and stone tools dated to ~100 ka. Viewed from the perspective of other key regional sites of this period, our findings indicate consolidation of a uniform behavioural set in the Levantine mid-MP, consisting of similar lithic technology, an increased reliance on large-game hunting and a range of socially elaborated behaviours, comprising intentional human burial and the use of ochre in burial contexts. We suggest that the development of this behavioural uniformity is due to intensified inter-population interactions and admixture between Homo groups ~130–80 ka.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02110-y

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