Burning Man festival revellers accidentally torch prehistoric artefacts in Israel

Midburn organisers were unaware of any archaeological areas on the site

A wooden effigy is burned at the 2015 Midburn festival in Israel (Getty Images)

Revellers at a Burning Man festival in Israel have accidentally torched prehistoric artefacts on the site of an ancient temple.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority said that Midburn organisers had burned a wooden temple built for the event on a hilltop home to flint tools dating back to the Stone Age. The extent of damage remains unclear.

Eyal Marcus told Times of Israel that antiquities officials had approached festival organisers too late. There were no signs marking the area as an archaeological site and the remains can be hard to see.

"We are sorry," Marcus said. "One of our principles is 'leave no trace'. We are not for destroying."

Revellers enjoy Israel's own Burning Man, Midburn (Getty Images)

Midburn is an Israeli affliate of the famous US festival that takes place ever year in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. It was first held last June and attended by 3,000 people.

Midburn encourages "radical self-reliance and self-expression" and ends with a bonfire of wooden sculptures. Festival-goers pay for their ticket and bring all their own supplies. The only financial transactions on site are for ice.