Cremation in Israel dates back to 7,000 BC, research suggests

The remains were directly dated to between 7013-6700 BC, making them the oldest known example of cremation in the Near East, researchers say.

Ancient people in the Near East had begun the practice of intentionally cremating their dead by as far back as 7,000 BC, new research suggests.

The remains of a corpse that appears to have been intentionally incinerated have been uncovered in an ancient cremation pit during excavations at the Neolithic site of Beisamoun in Northern Israel.