article_snippet: Officials and archaeologists then returned to the cave last weekend and found considerable evidence that the caves had been inhabited by humans.
article_snippet: Numerous pottery vessels were discovered in the cave and some had been there
article_snippet: so long Numerous pottery vessels had merged with the many stalactites that filled the cave.
article_snippet: Archaeologists say some of the artifacts found in the cave date back to the Chalcolithic period more than 6,000 years ago.
article_snippet: Some bronze items date back 5,000 years while there are others from the Biblical period 3,000 years ago and the Hellenistic period 2,300 years ago.
article_snippet: Among the other items discovered were agate gemstones and an oil lamp.
article_snippet: The Agate stones found in the cave, shown above alongside a Hellenstic oil lamp, were part of a bead necklace .
article_snippet: Archaeologists believe there may be more items to be found within the cave and intend to explore the cave further.
highlights_snippet: Gemstones, oil lamps and pottery were also found among the stalactites .
  
highlights_snippet: Some of the artifacts found in the cave are thought to be 6,000 years old .
  