Hole in Neanderthal shoulder bone linked to ancient wooden spear
Archaeologists have identified a round hole in a Neanderthal shoulder blade from Shanidar Cave in Iraq as a likely fatal wound caused by a wooden spear. The injury occurred approximately 75,000 years ago and appears to have been a kill shot directed toward the heart. The remains also show evidence of a separate injury the individual survived for years. These findings suggest that lethal violence and funerary behaviors existed among early human ancestors earlier than previously understood.
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- ✓ A Neanderthal from Shanidar Cave in Iraq died approximately 75,000 years ago from a likely wooden spear wound.
- ✓ The wound is a round hole in the shoulder blade that suggests a kill shot directed toward the heart.
- ✓ The individual had a separate injury that they survived for years before death.
- ✓ The remains provide evidence for both lethal trauma and funerary behavior.
What changed
Researchers linked a specific shoulder blade perforation to a wooden spear attack from 75,000 years ago.
Live updates
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Neanderthal shoulder bone hole linked to 75,000-year-old spear wound
Archaeologists have identified a round hole in a Neanderthal shoulder blade from Shanidar Cave in Iraq as a likely fatal wound caused by a wooden spear. The injury occurred approximately 75,000 years ago and appears to have been a kill shot directed toward the heart. The remains also show evidence of a separate injury the individual survived for years. These findings suggest that lethal violence and funerary behaviors existed among early human ancestors earlier than previously understood.
Why it matters
Shanidar Cave is an iconic Neanderthal burial site. This discovery provides rare physical evidence of interpersonal violence and potential compassion in prehistoric hominin societies.
What is confirmed
- A Neanderthal from Shanidar Cave in Iraq died approximately 75,000 years ago from a likely wooden spear wound.
- The wound is a round hole in the shoulder blade that suggests a kill shot directed toward the heart.
- The individual had a separate injury that they survived for years before death.
- The remains provide evidence for both lethal trauma and funerary behavior.
Still unconfirmed
- The death may have been a mercy killing or a murder.
- This may be the earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear.
What to watch next
- Further analysis of Shanidar Cave remains to determine if spear wounds are common across the population.
- Peer review of the specific ballistic evidence linking the hole to a wooden weapon.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
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- The Guardian — Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear
- CNN — Neanderthal murder mystery reveals a tale of violence and compassion
- BBC — Hole in Neanderthal shoulder bone linked to ancient wooden spear
- Reuters — Bones from Iraqi cave hint at violence and compassion in Neanderthals
- Nature — Evidence for funerary behaviour and lethal trauma in a new Neanderthal individual from Shanidar Cave
- www.sciencenews.org — A telling hole in a Neandertal bone hints at a bitter end
- Archaeology Magazine — News - Possible Fatal Wound Identified in Neanderthal Bone
- Popular Science — 75,000 years ago, this Neanderthal was stabbed with a spear
- www.popsci.com — 75,000 years ago, this Neanderthal was stabbed with a spear
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