Cultural Israel

Mount Carmel Caves

Site Ratings
1 location
Connections for Mount Carmel Caves
Mount Carmel Caves by Philipp Peterer
Mount Carmel Caves by Philipp Peterer 3

The Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves testify to more than 500,000 years of human evolution.

The four caves are situated on a cliff in the Mount Carmel range. The area was inhabited by both Neanderthals and modern humans. Findings such as skeletal material, pits and stone structures have made it possible to create a chronological framework of human evolution from the first appearance of modern humans to the transition from hunter-gathering to agriculture.

Community Perspective: As usual with paleontological sites, there is little to see for the casual visitor. The rock views of the surrounding natural reserve are the most gratifying visuals at the site. Solivagant has put the site into historical perspective.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me'arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves (ID: 1393)
Country
Israel
Status
Inscribed 2012 Site history
History of Mount Carmel Caves
2012: Rejected
For natural criterium 8 (was proposed as a mixed site, went on to be inscribed as a cultural site)
2012: Revision
Previously on T List as Pre-historic Sites: Ubadiyya, Sha'ar Hagolan, Mount Carmel (mixed site, 2000)
2012: Inscribed
Inscribed
Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • iii
  • v
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
Official
All Links
UNESCO.org
Official Website
News Article
  • 26 Jan 2018 middleeasteye.net — Oldest human remains outside Africa found in cave in Israel

Community Reviews