Israel dig uncovers 8,500-year-old well

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a well dating back to the Neolithic period some 8,500 years ago, the Antiquities Authority said on Thursday, adding that two skeletal remains were found inside.

The well, discovered in the Jezreel Valley in the northern Galilee region, contained a variety of artefacts, as well as the remains of a woman approximately 19 years old, and an older man, the IAA said.

Archaeologists said it was unclear how the pair came to be in the well, but hailed the discovery of the ancient water source.

"Wells from this period are unique finds in the archaeology of Israel and probably also in the prehistoric world in general," said Mr Omri Barzilai, head of the authority's prehistory branch.