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Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- A Neanderthal who died over 70,000 years ago shows the oldest known evidence of being killed by a wooden spear, indicated by a smooth round hole in the shoulder blade.
- The injured individual was found among at least five Neanderthals buried in the Shanidar cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, where bodies were placed repeatedly over years, suggesting meaningful burial behavior.
- The spear wound, likely lethal, was a 1.5cm-wide hole with fractures indicating a forceful, front-facing strike aimed at the chest, possibly a deliberate kill shot rather than an accident.
- The Neanderthal showed signs of severe prior injury, including a split lower incisor and dental damage, implying they might have required assistance before death.
- Wooden spears have been used by Neanderthals for hunting, with other ancient wooden spears dating back 200,000 to over 400,000 years discovered in Europe, though preservation of such artifacts is rare due to decomposition.
