The short version
- A circular hole in a Neanderthal shoulder blade suggests the individual was struck by a sharpened wooden spear approximately 75,000 years ago.
- Researchers debate whether the wound resulted from intentional interpersonal conflict or an accidental injury during a hunt.
- This finding adds to growing evidence that lethal violence among early humans predates the advent of agriculture and settled societies.
Archaeologists have identified what may be the earliest evidence of lethal violence involving a sharpened wooden spear, found in the remains of a Neanderthal who lived approximately 75,000 years ago. The discovery centers on a left shoulder blade recovered from a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, which bears a distinct 15-millimeter hole. Scientists believe this injury was caused by a projectile that entered the individual’s chest, likely damaging vital organs such as the lung and major blood vessels, before exiting through the shoulder bone.
The precision of the wound has led researchers to suggest it may have been an intentional strike aimed at the heart. Dr. Emma Pomeroy, the lead author from Cambridge University’s Department of Archaeology, noted that the circular nature of the break is inconsistent with natural damage or typical accidental fractures. Experimental archaeology supports this interpretation, as reconstructed wooden spears produce similar round holes in bone when they penetrate tissue and exit through skeletal structures.
The remains, designated Shanidar A, were part of a larger collection discovered in the 1950s during excavations at the Shanidar Cave site. Alongside the shoulder blade, archaeologists recovered the individual’s right hand, three ribs, and several teeth. The location of the wound and the trajectory of the projectile suggest a forceful impact that would have been immediately fatal or led to rapid death, marking a significant event in the life of this early human relative.
While the physical evidence points to a wooden spear as the weapon, the context of the injury remains uncertain. Pomeroy emphasized that it is impossible to definitively determine whether the wound resulted from interpersonal violence or a hunting accident. The possibility of friendly fire during a group hunt cannot be ruled out, given the dangers inherent in prehistoric subsistence activities involving close-range weaponry and large game.
However, other experts lean toward an interpretation of conflict. Professor Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London, who was not involved in the study, suggested that an attack by a rival is the more plausible explanation. He pointed to the positioning and extent of the wound as indicators of intentional harm rather than accidental injury. This perspective aligns with a broader reassessment of Neanderthal social dynamics and their potential for organized aggression.
This case echoes an earlier discovery from the same cave, involving a Neanderthal who lived around 50,000 years ago. That individual’s ribs showed evidence of a partly healed wound, which archaeologists attribute to a stone-tipped spear. The recurrence of spear-related injuries in the same location strengthens the argument that projectile weapons were a consistent part of Neanderthal life, whether used for hunting or combat.
The Shanidar A finding contributes to a growing body of evidence challenging long-held assumptions about the origins of human violence. For decades, many archaeologists associated organized warfare with the rise of agriculture, when permanent settlements created competition over land and resources. However, recent studies indicate that lethal interpersonal conflict existed among hunter-gatherers and earlier hominins long before farming began.
A notable example is a 2022 study of Neanderthal skulls from the Pit of Bones site in northern Spain, dating back approximately 430,000 years. Researchers found multiple healed head injuries and fatal skull fractures among twenty individuals, with puncture wounds occurring repeatedly in similar locations. These patterns suggest deliberate blows rather than accidental damage, indicating that repeated killing occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago.
The scientific debate now focuses less on whether early humans engaged in violence and more on how common such acts were and when sporadic attacks evolved into organized group conflict. The Shanidar A shoulder blade provides a tangible link to this distant past, offering insights into the tools and tactics used by Neanderthals. As more evidence emerges, the narrative of prehistoric life shifts from one of peaceful coexistence to a more complex reality involving both cooperation and lethal confrontation.
Published in Scientific Reports, this research underscores the importance of reevaluating archaeological findings through modern analytical techniques. The use of wooden spears, which rarely survive in the fossil record, leaves subtle but detectable marks on bone. By identifying these traces, scientists can reconstruct not only the physical capabilities of Neanderthals but also the social tensions that may have shaped their communities. The implications extend beyond understanding our extinct relatives, offering clues about the deep roots of human behavior.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Science & Environment↗Was Neanderthal life violent? This wound suggests lethal fighting was more common
