Nahal Me'arot Caves: 500,000 Years of Human Evolution on Mount Carmel
On the western slope of Mount Carmel, four caves in a limestone cliff hold at least 500,000 years of human history, from Neanderthals to Natufian villages.
Prehistory
Nahal Amud The Valley of the Galilee Neanderthals
Above the stream that runs down to the Sea of Galilee, a cave yielded Neanderthal skeletons. You can hike the valley, but you may not climb up to the cave.
- Where : Galilee, north-west of the Sea of Galilee
- Duration : About 2 h
- Access : Paid nature reserve, booking recommended
Essentials
Nahal Amud (Wadi Amud) is a Galilee stream that flows down to the Sea of Galilee from the north-west. Its name comes from the "Amud", a natural rock pillar standing in the lower valley. Some thirty metres above it is the mouth of Amud Cave, where Neanderthals dating from about 70,000 to 50,000 years ago were found.
The upper part of the stream is a nature reserve open to hikers. The cave itself cannot be visited: no path leads to it and climbing up is not allowed. From the trail, you can see the cliff and the pillar. The site is one of the key stops in Israel's prehistory.
In brief
- Why go
- A cave where Neanderthals from about 70,000 to 50,000 years ago were found, including an infant.
- What you'll see
- The gorge, the "Amud" pillar and the cliff where the cave lies, seen from the reserve's trails.
- Check before you go
- No access to the cave; paid nature reserve, booking recommended, last entry to the trails.
History
Archaeology
Amud Cave: a Neanderthal man and child
A cave above the pillar
Amud Cave opens in the cliff, some thirty metres above the rock pillar. Its occupation layers belong to the Mousterian culture. The human remains found there date from about 70,000 to 50,000 years before present.
Amud Man
A Japanese expedition began excavating the cave in 1961. In 1964 it uncovered the almost complete skeleton of an adult man. He stood about 1.70 m tall, and his skull had a capacity of about 1,750 cm³.
The infant with the deer jaw
Later, the excavations yielded the skeleton of an infant aged about 10 months, covered by a deer jaw. Its study made it possible to recognise Neanderthal features. Together, the adult and the infant are what Amud Cave is known for.
Source: Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Amud Stream Nature Reserve
History
A valley of prehistoric caves
Amud Cave is not the only one in the valley. Also in Nahal Amud lies Zuttiyeh Cave, nicknamed the "Cave of the Skull". It yielded "Galilee Man", more than 350,000 years old according to the Nature and Parks Authority. Entry is prohibited because the cave is home to bats: you can only see it from outside.
Two chapters of prehistory
- Over 350,000 years ago — "Galilee Man", in Zuttiyeh Cave.
- 70,000 to 50,000 years ago — The Neanderthals of Amud Cave.
- 1961 — Japanese excavations begin in Amud Cave.
- 1964 — Discovery of the Amud Man skeleton.
Caves to look at, caves to visit
At Nahal Amud, prehistory is read in the landscape: the cliff, the pillar, the openings in the rock. If you want to walk into prehistoric caves set up for visitors, head instead to the Nahal Me'arot caves, which are open to the public.
Plan my visit
Nahal Amud: planning your visit
- Visit duration
- About 2 hours of hiking, of moderate difficulty.
- Amud Cave
- No access: according to the Authority, no path leads to it and visitors may not climb up to it. You can see the cliff and the pillar from the trail.
- Entrance
- Paid nature reserve run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Visitors who enter through other access points pay on the way out. Booking recommended.
- Opening hours
- According to the Authority, to be checked before you go: in summer, Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8 am–5 pm, Friday 8 am–4 pm; in winter, Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8 am–4 pm, Friday 8 am–3 pm; eves of holidays 8 am–1 pm. Last entry to the trails is earlier, especially for the long trail via the upper Amud.
- GPS point
- The GPS point marks the pillar in the lower valley; access is via the reserve's trails.
- What to bring
- Walking shoes and water.
Getting there & GPS
Nahal Amud
Nahal Amud Nature Reserve, Galilee, north-west of the Sea of Galilee
GPS coordinates : 32.8724, 35.5017 (reference point, not the exact entrance)
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Hiking in the Nahal Amud Nature Reserve
The upper part of the stream is a nature reserve open to visitors, with an entrance fee. If you come in through another access point, you pay on the way out. Booking ahead is recommended. Allow about 2 hours of walking, of moderate difficulty: bring proper walking shoes and water.
⚠️ Amud Cave cannot be visited
According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, there is no path leading to the cave today, and visitors may not climb up to it. Zuttiyeh Cave is closed too. Stay on the trails: from there you can see the cliff and the pillar.
The pillar as a landmark
The GPS point on this page marks the pillar, in the lower valley. It is not a car park: access is via the reserve's trails. Before you set off, check the opening hours and the last entry time for the trails, which is earlier than closing time.
Continue the day by the lake
Nahal Amud flows down to the Sea of Galilee. After the hike, you can head to Capernaum, on the lakeshore.
Source: Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Amud Stream Nature Reserve
Suggested itineraries
- Galilee, from the stream to the lake
- Nahal Amud → Capernaum
- Prehistoric caves
- Nahal Amud → Nahal Me'arot caves
Around the site
Nahal Amud and its surroundings
Go further
Capernaum, the town of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee
The fishing village where Jesus settled, taught in the synagogue and stayed with Peter: what the Gospels say, what the excavations found and what you can see today.
'Ubeidiya: Among the Oldest Human Sites Outside Africa
South of the Sea of Galilee, very early humans lived on the shore of a vanished lake. Their stone tools are among the oldest known outside Africa.
PrehistoryPrehistory in Israel: From the First Humans to the First VillagesFour prehistoric sites to visit in Israel and five more closed to the public: over a million years of human history, from Mount Carmel to the Jordan.Read the article → Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Amud Cave?
No. According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, no path leads to the cave and visitors may not climb up to it. You can, however, hike in the Nahal Amud Nature Reserve and see the cliff and the pillar from the trail.
What was found in Amud Cave?
Human remains from about 70,000 to 50,000 years ago, linked to the Mousterian culture: in 1964, the almost complete skeleton of an adult man, then that of an infant aged about 10 months, whose study made it possible to recognise Neanderthal features.
How long is the Nahal Amud hike?
Allow about 2 hours, at moderate difficulty. The reserve charges an entrance fee and booking is recommended. Bring walking shoes and water, and check the last entry time for the trails.
Where can you visit prehistoric caves?
Amud and Zuttiyeh caves can only be seen from outside. To walk into prehistoric caves, go to the Nahal Me'arot caves, which are open to the public.
Are these Neanderthals linked to Genesis?
No: these finds document prehistory and cannot identify the figures of Genesis, which we cover in <a href="/en/origines#creation-eden">the stories of the beginnings</a>.