Receding Waters of Kinneret Reveal Archaeological Treasure

The abnormally low rainfall in recent years has deeply troubled Israeli farmers. But archaeologists are delighted by what the receding waters of Lake Kinneret, Israel’s largest natural reservoir, have yielded.

As the level of the fresh water lake deep in the Galilee hills fell, a treasure trove of human remains, artifacts and structures emerged from the muddy bottom, casting new light on the life and habitats of Stone Age man.

The well-preserved skeleton of a 35-year-old man was uncovered last year. Carbon-14 dating put its age at 19,000 years.

Along with the bones were 30 species of seeds, including the oldest grains of wild wheat and barley found anywhere in the world.

Now, archaeologists of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Stekelis Prehistoric Museum in Haifa report discovery of the encampment where the prehistoric man lived.

It was a seasonal camp on the southwestern shore of the Kinneret, near Ohalo, and is believed to have housed the first people ever to fish in the lake, also known as the Sea of Galilee. The campsite covers over 120 square feet and is believed to have been inhabited by about 20 people.

Dany Nadel, who is in charge of the dig, said the finds indicate Stone Age people sustained themselves by hunting, fishing and food-gathering.

They probably stayed at the lake shore for about six months a year and made an annual trek to the Mediterranean coast, as evidenced by the seashell beads found in the campsite.

Lake Kinneret, nearly 700 feet below sea level, is the second lowest point on Earth after the Dead Sea, which is more than 1,000 feet below sea level.

Both are part of a great fault in the Earth’s crust that extends from central Africa.

The harp-shaped lake itself is believed to be no more than 20,000 years old. Before it was formed it was part of a huge salt lake extending from present-day Galilee to present-day Eilat.