A few weeks ago, a report made headlines that provided new insights into human history. Analysis of a skull revealed that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens interbred much earlier than previously thought—as far back as 140,000 years ago. The examined skull came from the Skhul Cave in the Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve at the foot of the Carmel Mountains in northern Israel. Nahal Me’arot (“Cave River”) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its prehistoric caves were inhabited by humans for tens of thousands of years.

Last week, the director of Nahal Me’arot, Racheli Gilboa, visited the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann for the first time together with her colleague Maya Hachmon Khadosh to discuss possibilities for collaboration with her colleague Dr. Bärbel Auffermann and her team. Both institutions are concerned with the great questions of humanity: Who are we? Where do we come from?

Answers can be found not only in the caves of Nahal Me’arot, but also in the Neander Valley: it was there, in 1856, that the world’s most famous human fossil was discovered, which is why this human species has been named the “Neanderthal.” The valley and the Neanderthal Museum form an authentic landscape of remembrance: the museum, Stone Age workshop, Stone Age playground, and the Höhlenblick tower offer a multifaceted experience at this famous site as part of the Neanderthal Experience.

The team at the Neanderthal Museum gave their Israeli colleagues an insight into the diverse exhibition and educational program, the wide range of educational offerings in the fields of archaeology and human evolution, as well as the ongoing research projects. In turn, the Israeli colleagues provided their German counterparts with an insight into the uniqueness of the Nahal Me’arot site and the educational activities conducted there.

Future collaboration between the teams in Nahal Me’arot and the Neanderthal Museum will focus on education, exhibitions, and research. The plans will be finalized during a return visit to Israel in the spring of 2026.

The projects are designed to show young audiences in particular: We are one humanity with common ancestors and a shared heritage.

The exchange is supported by the “Shalom – Chaveruth” aid initiative of the Office of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in Israel. 

Delegation from Israel: Racheli Gilboa, Director of the “Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve”

Maya Hachmon Kadosh, Head of the Department of Education, Outreach, and Program Development

The text is taken from the press release issued by the District of Mettmann on September 15, 2025.

Background on Nahal Me’arot

The caves at Nahal Me’arot are among the most significant sites of prehistoric settlement in the Mediterranean region and were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 as “Sites of Human Evolution in the Carmel Mountains.” The caves, which were inhabited for tens of thousands of years, were first described as early as the 19th century, and the first scientific excavations began in the 1920s. 

The earliest sites of human remains are located in southeastern Africa. Through migratory movements, humans spread northward. Early humans reached Europe via the Israeli Mediterranean coast. In the caves at the foot of Mount Carmel, traces of settlement by Neanderthals and also by early Homo sapiens were found; they apparently found optimal living conditions here near both land and sea. According to the latest research findings, a fruitful encounter between the two human species took place there as early as 140,000 years ago—significantly earlier than previously assumed.

The hiking trails in the nature reserve lead past caves where the living conditions of early humans are vividly recreated. The park welcomes around 70,000 visitors annually.

Background: Neanderthal Museum 

Almost 170 years ago, the groundbreaking idea that we humans, too, evolved from earlier species spread from the Neander Valley. Since 1996, the Neanderthal Museum has been preserving, presenting, and communicating the history of human evolution at this authentic site.

It tells our story to over 150,000 annual visitors, from our beginnings seven million years ago to the present day. By addressing current issues such as climate change, migration, and encounters between people of different origins, the social relevance of research into our past for today’s world and society is continually highlighted.

The museum has an exhibition area of 1,500 square meters. In addition to the museum, the Neanderthal Experience World features Germany’s largest Stone Age playground, the Neanderthal discovery site with the Höhlenblick observation tower, and the Ice Age wildlife enclosure with wild horses, bison, and aurochs. The museum sees itself as a destination for day trips, a place for experiences and learning, a conference venue, and a documentation and research center on Neanderthals and early human history.