A Neanderthal who lived over 75,000 years ago appears to have been killed by a wooden spear, according to new research that sheds light on the nature of interpersonal violence in early human relatives. The discovery was made in a cave located in Iraqi Kurdistan, where the remains of the individual were unearthed.

The study, led by Dr. Emma Pomeroy, suggests the injury sustained by the Neanderthal was inflicted intentionally, possibly aimed at the heart, indicating a lethal attack rather than an accidental wound. This find represents what may be the earliest direct evidence of lethal violence involving a wooden weapon in Neanderthal populations.

Wooden spears have long been associated with hunting and warfare among early humans, but concrete evidence connecting them to interpersonal violence among Neanderthals has been scarce. The new analysis of the fossilized remains supports the idea that Neanderthal societies engaged in aggressive acts that could lead to fatal outcomes, challenging previous assumptions about the nature of their interactions.

The researchers examined trauma patterns on the skeleton and determined that the damage was consistent with a forceful strike from a spear-like weapon, rather than an accidental injury or damage caused by post-mortem processes. It remains unclear whether the attack was part of a conflict within a group or competition between different groups, but the intentionality of the strike points to purposeful violence.

This finding contributes to a growing body of evidence that Neanderthals, once characterized as largely peaceful hunter-gatherers, may have had complex social dynamics that included conflict and aggression. It also underscores the importance of refined archaeological techniques in revealing behaviors of early human species that were previously difficult to detect.

The discovery adds a significant data point to the study of early human violence and weapon use, providing researchers with new insights into how Neanderthal communities might have resolved disputes and defended themselves tens of thousands of years ago in what is now northern Iraq.