Unfortunately Nahal Hemar Cave was initially excavated by amateurs and therefore the stratigraphic positions of many of its finds are not clear (Bar-Yosef 2003:74-76). Even the original position of the skull burials are in doubt. Despite this uncertainty Bar Yosef (2003:75) assigns them to Layer 4, the lowest, and this has been generally accepted.
The radiocarbon dates correlate well with the stratigraphy, except OxA 1014, which indicates into Layer 3B. The sum of the dates for the oldest layer, Layer 4, ranges between 8210-7780 BC. Layer 3B dates between 7820 BC and 7570 BC; and the Layer 3A, the youngest, dates between 7450 BC and 7080 BC.