Ancient flint tools, animal remains found in Galilee cave

JERUSALEM -- Archaeologists say bears and buffalo once roamed, and prehistoric men chipped flint into tools, in what later became the Holy Land, Israel's Antiquities Authority said Thursday.

They found the evidence in a huge cave in the Galilee in Israel's north.

Israel's Antiquities Authority released a statement saying the cave was discovered by accident. Workers were excavating for a sewage line when they came across it.

Experts date the cave to the Upper Paleolithic Period, which began 40,000 years ago. They found ancient flint tools used by early man, as well as remains of animals that are no longer in the region, including bears, buffalo and red deer.

The antiquities authority said it's the first cave with artifacts from that period to be found in more than 40 years.

The statement didn't say exactly where the stalactite cave is. The main chamber is 80 by 60 yards. It's closed to the public.