Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that suggests a Neanderthal who lived more than 70,000 years ago may have been killed by a wooden spear, marking what could be the oldest known case of lethal weapon use among human ancestors. The discovery centers on a distinctive injury in the shoulder blade of the adult Neanderthal, found during excavations in the Shanidar cave located in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The Shanidar cave has long been a rich archaeological site for understanding Neanderthal life, and the new findings add to the growing body of knowledge about their behavior and interactions. Researchers identified a smooth, round hole in the bone, interpreted as a spear-inflicted wound, which likely led to the individual’s death. The spear is believed to have been made of wood, a detail that highlights the advanced use of sophisticated hunting and possibly combat weapons by Neanderthals.

The remains were excavated from a depth of nearly eight meters beneath layers of rock and sediment, indicating the considerable age of the specimen. The injury’s characteristics suggest it was caused by a projectile weapon rather than post-mortem damage or natural causes, supporting the hypothesis that interpersonal violence or hunting accidents with such weapons were possible during this period.

These results were detailed in a recent publication in Scientific Reports, shedding light on the capabilities and social dynamics of Neanderthal groups. The lethal spear wound provides direct physical evidence of conflict or hunting incidents involving weaponry at a much earlier date than previously documented.

While the study points to the use of spears in ways that could result in fatal injuries, it also raises questions about Neanderthal behavior, including whether the wound was sustained during hunting or inflicted by another individual. The discovery contributes to ongoing debates about the complexity of Neanderthal societies and their technological skills prior to the emergence of modern Homo sapiens.

Overall, this finding underscores the importance of the Shanidar cave site in revealing critical aspects of Neanderthal life and suggests that wooden weapons played a significant role in their survival strategies tens of thousands of years ago.