Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve — prehistoric man and hikes
There are several trails in Nahal Me’arot. By far the most interesting is the Geological Trail on the north bank of Wadi Me’arot, from which you can visit caves used by prehistoric man. Prehistoric archeology in Israel has made valuable contributions to our understanding of the development of modern man (homo sapiens) and there is evidence in these caves of over 500,000 years of hominis habitation. Because of their cultural and historical significance, theys have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The caves on the banks of Wadi Me’arot would have been popular places for early human species to live in. Below them was a river filled with fish, rich vegetation and animals they could kill for food, such as fallow deer and gazelles. The bones of a hippopotamus and extinct species of camel and rhinoceros have also been found in the caves. Only a short distance away was the sea with even more food for the taking. This was an ancient sea called the Thetis Sea, which once flooded large parts of the Eastern Mediterranean. Because of melting of polar ice caps, the water level was much higher than it is today, and hence the sea would have been that much closer.
The cliffs were created from a reef formed about 100 million years ago. You can see fossilized marine animals in the rocks, and particularly fossils from a horn-like shell from rudists.
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Directions: Enter “Nahal Mearot” into Waze and click on “Nahal Mearot Nature Preserve”.
Admission: This is a site of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. It is open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and Saturday, and 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Friday in the summer and it closes 1 hour earlier in the winter. Admission is up to 1 hour prior to closing time. The cost of admission is 22 NIS for adults, 9 NIS for children 5 to 18 years and 11 NIS for seniors. Drinks and other supplies are sold in the store. There are shaded picnic benches outside the Visitor Center. Cold water is available from a fountain. Their phone number is 04 984 1750/2. This is their website:
Public transport: Enter “Nahal Mearot Nature Preserve” into Moovit. The closest bus stop is a 13-minute/ 1.1-Km walk from the Ein Karmel intersection.
Early man
The earliest human-like species was Homo erectus, who arose in Africa approximately 1.9 million years ago. His bone structure was similar to modern man (Homo sapiens). He spread to Asia and Europe and remained in existence until about 143,00 years ago. Israel provided a land bridge from Africa through the Rift Valley, and the earliest sites of Homo erectus outside Africa are found in this country. Israel also provides the earliest examples of the controlled use of fire and stone tools, especially the teardrop or pear-shaped hand axe used by Homo erectus.
Neanderthal man probably arose from Homo erectus, and he lived in Europe and parts of Asia from about 400,000 years ago until some 40,000 years ago. Israel was the southern-most part of the world reached by Neanderthal man.
Homo sapiens or modern man emerged in Africa, possibly from Homo erectus, and eventually spread throughout the world. The finding of Homo sapiens here provides early evidence of his migration outside of Africa.
An interesting question is how homo sapiens displaced Neanderthal man. Homo sapiens had superior intelligence and could have exterminated him. However, of considerable interest is the finding of Neanderthal burial in the Tabun Cave at the same time as Homo sapiens in the most eastern Skhul Cave, indicating that they coexisted some 100,000 years ago.
Outside the cave are the ruins of the Natufian culture, which existed some 12,000 years ago and lasted for about 4,000 years. This culture marks the transition from a purely hunter-gatherer existence to a settled or semi-sedentary way of life. These people had semi-permanent and even permanent habitation. There was early experimentation with agriculture, with wild wheat and barley, and the collecting of nuts and legumes. They may have begun some animal domestication, particularly of dogs. They showed artistic expression with bone and stone carvings and a shell necklace. They had cemeteries. Niches can be seen in a stone wall. Their function is unknown, but may indicate some ritual function, and even a belief in an afterlife.
This is not shown here, but the Natufian culture was followed by the Neolithic culture. During the Neolithic Revolution animal and plant domestication spread throughout the world.
Where do biblical Adam and Eve fit into this? After being ejected from the Garden of Eden, they became agriculturalists and they are therefore products of the Neolithic Revolution. It is doubtful they were Homo erectus, since agriculture was not yet practiced.
Visiting the caves:
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After climbing some rock steps, you come to the Tabun Cave. Displayed in front of you are different archeological layers that extend 25 meters in depth, span about half a million years, and show evidence of three species of hominins living here.
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The earliest culture to live here was the Acheulean culture. They were Homo erectus species and lived here from about 500,00 to 400,000 years ago. This was followed by the Achelo-Yabrudian culture. Then came the Homo sapiens Mousterian culture, which began about 250,000 years ago and existed for some 200,000 years. During these different cultures, stone tools, and eventually bone tools, became more sophisticated. This cave was probably big enough for 25 to 50 people to live in.
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The next cave along is the bell-shaped Jamal Cave which has a display of models engaged in the day-to-day life of Homo sapiens species and their flint and bone tools. The use of fire was an important innovation. It broke down the muscle fibers of animals and made their meat soft enough to be eaten.
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The final cave for your visit is the El-Wad Cave. It is a long cave and at its end is shown a short movie on the life of prehistoric man.
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From here it is a gradual descent to the Visitor Center.
Prehistoric life in Wadi Me'arot
Archeological layers in Tabun Cave
Other trails in the reserve:
The circular Botanical Route is a delightful trail into the Carmel Mountains which is highly recommended. It takes about 2¼ hours and is about 4 Km in length. It is slightly to moderately difficult, but is not dangerous and is suitable for families with older children. There is little shade except at the top of the mountain range. The way up is more difficult than the way down, but I found that for many of the rock faces that need to be climbed, there is a side path at the side that makes it easier. Hiking poles can be useful especially on the way down because of loose stones.
The trailhead is just outside the visitor center through a grey gate and is marked to Skhul Cave. The trail goes about 800 meters along the wadi and then turns right on a footpath up the hill. The path is clearly marked with blue-markings.
The Shvil Yisrael (Israel Trail) crosses Nahal Me’arot and continues along the boundary between Mount Carmel and the Carmel coast. In a southern direction it goes towards Zichron Yaakov. There is also a circular Opher Lookout trail that takes about 5½ hours. A there and back hike to the Ofer Lookout, though, is much shorter.