The earliest evidence of using flower beds for burial, dating back to 13,700 years ago, was discovered in Raqefet Cave in Mt. Carmel, during excavations led by the University of Haifa. In four different graves from the Natufian period, dating back to 13,700-11,700 years ago, dozens of impressions of Salvia plants and other species of sedges and mints (the Lamiaceae family), were found under human skeletons. “This is another evidence that as far back as 13,700 years ago, our ancestors, the Natufians, had burial rituals similar to ours, nowadays”, said Prof. Dani Nadel, from the University of Haifa, who led the excavations.
The study garnered great worldwide interest and was mentioned in numerous publications such as: The Chicago Tribune, Bloomberg Business Week, Die Welt (Germany) and others.
