Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Neanderthal Remains Linked to Wooden Spear Attack

   Researchers analyzing partial Neanderthal remains from an Iraqi Kurdistan cave have identified a round hole in a shoulder blade that may represent the oldest known evidence of lethal interpersonal violence using a wooden spear in the hominin fossil record. The adult individual, excavated at Shanidar Cave, died more than 70,000 years ago from the shoulder wound. Scientists say the prehistoric discovery provides new insight into the capacities for both violence and compassion among Neanderthals, highlighting complex social behaviors alongside fatal conflict in the Middle East.

   Why it matters

   Shanidar Cave has long been a significant site for understanding Neanderthal behavior, particularly regarding whether they practiced deliberate burial and funerary customs. This specific injury sheds light on how these hominins interacted and faced lethal conflict within their groups. The findings offer a rare physical window into prehistoric trauma, illuminating the harsh realities of life and death during the Middle East Pleistocene epoch.

   What is confirmed

   • An adult Neanderthal excavated in an Iraqi Kurdistan cave died more than 70,000 years ago and bears a kill shot shoulder wound.
   • A round hole in the shoulder blade of the Neanderthal fossil could be the earliest known evidence of lethal interpersonal violence with a wooden spear in the hominin fossil record.
   • The partial remains were discovered at Shanidar Cave.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The prehistoric scene reveals a mercy killing rather than murder.

   What to watch next

   • Further academic analysis of the open-access paper detailing the Shanidar Cave finds
   • Additional archaeological studies investigating prehistoric interpersonal violence among Neanderthals
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
   2. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
   3. www.theguardian.com — Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find ...
   4. The Guardian — Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear
   5. CNN — Neanderthal murder mystery reveals a tale of violence and compassion
   6. BBC — Hole in Neanderthal shoulder bone linked to ancient wooden spear
   7. Reuters — Bones from Iraqi cave hint at violence and compassion in Neanderthals
   8. Nature — Evidence for funerary behaviour and lethal trauma in a new Neanderthal individual from Shanidar Cave
   9. Science News — A telling hole in a Neandertal bone hints at a bitter end
   10. Sky News — Neanderthals capable of both violence and care, bones from Iraqi cave suggest
   11. Phys.org — Fatal Neanderthal wound may be earliest evidence of a wooden spear attack on a human ancestor
   12. Archaeology Magazine — News - Possible Fatal Wound Identified in Neanderthal Bone
   confidence 100%