A recent study details an extraordinary archaeological discovery in the hills of Jerusalem. At the ancient Motza site, researchers unearthed a tomb dating back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period (7,100 to 6,700 BC). The burial contained the remains of a woman who may have held a significant spiritual role, possibly serving as a shaman within her community.
Anatomical analysis of the remains suggests that the woman was over 15 years old at the time of her passing. One of the most remarkable aspects of the discovery is that she had six fingers on her left hand. In numerous ancient cultures, a trait like this was regarded as a mark of distinction and a sign of being chosen by the Gods for an imporant spiritual role.
The excavation at Motza was conducted between 2018 and 2020, although it was only recently disclosed in an article published in the journal Atiqot. This landmark exploration revealed one of the most extensive Neolithic settlements found in the region. These archaeological efforts were initiated ahead of the construction of Highway 16, which serves as a third access route into Jerusalem from the west. As often happens, this pre-construction excavation uncovered a significant find that might have otherwise remained hidden indefinitely.
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Burial Goods Indicating Shamanic Status
If the six-fingered woman was indeed considered a spiritual figure, her burial should contain objects reflecting her elevated status—which in fact it did.
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Reconstruction of a shaman woman, highlighting bone rings on six fingers. (M. Kunin/IAA)
Among the funerary goods recovered were green stone necklaces and mother-of-pearl jewelry, suggesting she was an important member of Neolithic society. Most individuals buried in the region were interred with decorative items, such as stone bracelets, pendants, and beads crafted from exotic materials like alabaster and green stones. Researchers believe the presence of stone bracelets in burials is linked to transition rituals between life and death.
Close-up of an intact bone ring on one of the shaman’s phalanges. (M. Anton/IAA)
Eli Eskosido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was quoted in an article by the Greek publication Enikos, saying: "The discovery of the ancient shaman's tomb in Motza opens a window into the spiritual world of communities that lived approximately 10,000 years ago. These remains show how complex and rich the cultural beliefs of ancient humanity were."
According to scholars, Neolithic children wore stone bracelets until they reached adolescence. Upon coming of age, they likely participated in an initiation ceremony akin to modern rites of passage, such as the Jewish Bar and Bat Mitzvah traditions. However, those who passed away before reaching maturity were buried with their bracelets, which have been found intact on their remains.
Rituals, Water, and Community Practices
Numerous burials were discovered within the residential structures at the site, often beneath floors or near the walls of dwellings. Researchers believe that rituals may have been conducted in large public buildings specifically designated for ceremonial purposes, possibly including shamanic practices.
Many of these structures displayed a strong connection to water, a feature that may have played an essential role in the rituals performed there. Archaeologists identified plastered installations for water collection within each excavated building or found them positioned near natural water sources. These findings reinforce the notion that water was integral to religious ceremonies and the social organization of Neolithic communities.
Archaeologists uncovering the shaman's tomb. (IAA)
In their Atiqot study, the research team explores the significance of ritualistic observances in Neolithic society and how the Motza discovery contributes to this broader understanding.
"Communal and ritual structures first appeared in the Natufian culture (12,500–9400 BC) and expanded during the Neolithic period (9400–5300 BC), alongside the treatment of burials linked to ritual related to ancestor worship," the researchers wrote. "The excavations at Motza’s Final PPNB (7100–6700 BC) layer exposed many non-residential structures, some presumably used for worship and ritual. Some burials, including the one interpreted here as a shaman burial, included objects of symbolic importance … architecture and material culture suggest that the non-residential buildings at Motza were designed for community rituals."
The Broader Impact of the Neolithic Era
The Neolithic period marked a major turning point in human history. This era witnessed the development of transformative technologies, including the domestication of plants and animals. These advancements not only reshaped economic practices but also played a crucial role in shaping belief systems and ritualistic traditions.
"Through personal objects such as jewelry and ritual artifacts, we can learn about the belief systems, social classes, and community roles of the time," Eskosido noted.
Selected bone rings from the shaman grave (H. May/IAA)
The excavation at Motza was led by Drs. Hamoudi Khalaily, Ianir Milevski, and Anna Eirich-Rose of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Their study connects these remarkable findings to the emergence of religious practices unique to the Neolithic period, a time when human relationships with both the natural world and each other underwent profound transformation.
Top image: A female burial in a flexed position, adorned with a mother-of-pearl shell bracelet. (Left) The shell bracelet made from mother-of-pearl. Source: D. Yegorov/IAA
By Nathan Falde
