In 2013, the cave, along with the valley it opens into, Wadi Natuf, were added to UNESCO's tentative list for possible designation as a World Heritage Site.

[3] The site was briefly investigated in 1924 by Father Alexis Mallon,[4] who suggested that the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem take responsibility for excavating the cave.

[7][8][3] Recent investigations have identified what are believed to be Neanderthal remains, together with Nubian Levallois knapping tools previously thought to be specific to Homo sapiens.

[9] A recently reexamined fossilised tooth found by D. Garrod in the cave, is the southermost evidence of Neanderthals ever discovered, raising the possibility that this hominin species originally coming from Eurasia might indeed have reached Africa while fleeing from the advancing northern glacial climate.

[1][2] The Wadi en-Natuf and Shuqba Cave came since 2000 under threat due to road building,[2][12] decay,[13][12] lack of protection,[13] and extensive garbage dumping.