Skull discovered by hikers in northern Israel
Authorities believe find is not connected to criminal activity, as it lies near known archaeological site
A human skull, believed to be connected to a nearby archaeological site, was discovered in northern Israel Saturday.
The remains were discovered in a pit near Ein Harod in the Jezreel Valley by hikers, Ynet news site reported.
Police believe the skull is an archaeological find, and not the remains of a victim of a recent crime, because of the proximity to an archaeological site, Hurvat Kumi, and because of its condition.
“The skull was probably exposed now due to weather conditions, or some animal digging it up to the surface,” Afula Police Commander Eitan Menashe said. “We informed the Israel Antiquities Authority and their inspector is at the scene. In any event, we are obligated by law to send the skull for forensic tests at the police labs.”
Israel has yielded important early hominid finds at archaeological sites, including fossils at the Carmel Range’s Kebera and Shkul caves, and the Qafzeh cave in the Lower Galilee.