Ancient Rituals in Australia's Cloggs Cave | Science News

Deep inside Australia’s Cloggs Cave, scientists have uncovered a 25,000-year-old ritual tradition: people deliberately brought grasses in, burned them layer by layer, and left behind microscopic plant remains that survived millennia. These phytoliths—ancient plant fingerprints—reveal a sacred site used consistently for spiritual ceremonies, aligning with Indigenous GunaiKurnai oral histories. Layers of ash stretch back 4,400 years, even revealing a standing stone placed intentionally 2,000 years ago. The careful selection of specific grasses suggests deep cultural meaning, painting a vivid picture of a place where ritual burning was not occasional—but central to life for thousands of years. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102443.htm More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/fbc27358285e4476 Report issues to [email protected].