A cave that was used for rituals more than 25,000 years ago has been discovered in Australia

Archaeologists have studied Kloggs Cave in southeastern Australia and determined that, for at least 25,000 years, people deliberately brought plants there to perform rituals and ceremonies. 

The researchers analyzed phytoliths—microscopic silica structures from plants that have been preserved in the archaeological layers. The analysis showed that whole plants (with leaves, stems, and flowers) were brought into the cave and subsequently burned at relatively low temperatures in carefully controlled fires, leaving thin layers of ash.

The characteristics of the burning suggest that the fires were lit not for cooking or heating, but to produce smoke or ash. The findings closely align with the traditions of the Gunay-Kurnai Indigenous people, in which herbs, ash, and charcoal were used during healing practices, initiations, and magical rituals. Researchers link Kloggs Cave to the activities of the “mulla-mullung”—healers and spiritual leaders of the community—making this discovery one of the oldest pieces of evidence of the ritual use of plants in the world.

Near Halych, archaeologists have discovered unique medieval artifacts.