- Archaeologists found the child’s skeleton preserved naturally mummified in the dry cave.
- The “Cave of Horrors” takes its name from the 40 skeletons found during excavations in the 1960s.
- A CT scan revealed that the child was between 6 and 12 years old and is believed to be a girl.
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Archaeologists have discovered the skeleton of a 6,000-year-old child in the “Cave of Horrors” in the Judean Desert in Israel, alongside ancient Dead Sea scrolls and the oldest basket in the world.
The “Cave of Horrors” takes its name from the 40 skeletons found there during excavations in the 1960s. Researchers found the child’s remains preserved naturally mummified in the dry atmosphere of the cave, which can only be accessed by climbing ropes.
A CT scan revealed that the child, who had partially preserved skin, tendons and even hair, was between 6 and 12 years old and believed to be a girl, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
Prehistoric Ronit Lupu of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said in a statement: “It was obvious that whoever buried the child had wrapped [them] up and pushed the edges of the cloth underneath [them], just like a parent covers [their] child in a blanket. A small packet of cloth was in the child’s hands. “
The skeleton was found along with ancient Dead Sea scrolls, which are among the first texts ever written in Hebrew.
Archaeologist Naama Sukenik of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), at Naama Sukenik, shows the world’s oldest basket in Jerusalem on March 16, 2021.
Menahem Kahana / AFP via Getty Images
The newly discovered fragments of the 2,000-year-old scrolls are Greek translations of the biblical books of Nahum and Zechariah, found in the Book of the 12 Minor Prophets in the Jewish Tanakh.
However, the only Hebrew included in the text is the name of God, The Independent noted, and the manuscripts are believed to have been hidden during a Jewish uprising against Rome, added NBC News.
The oldest basket in the world dated 10,000 years ago was also found, as well as arrowheads and coins believed to be from the period of Bar Kochba’s revolt in other caves, reported The Guardian.
The authority ordered the excavation in 2017, after reports of looting by looters, noted The Guardian.