Neanderthal remains may be earliest human ancestor find killed by a spear
Adult excavated in an Iraqi Kurdistan cave died more than 70,000 years ago and bears ‘kill shot’ shoulder wound
TL;DR
- Skeletal remains of a Neanderthal found in Shanidar cave, Iraqi Kurdistan, show a 1.5cm-wide hole in the shoulder blade.
- The injury, dated to over 70,000 years ago, is the oldest potential evidence of a human ancestor killed by a spear.
- Fractures and bone fragments suggest the wound was inflicted by a wooden spear striking from the front.
- The wound's position and the force required indicate a potentially intentional 'kill shot' to the chest, likely resulting in death.
- The individual also had a severely split lower incisor, suggesting a significant facial trauma prior to the fatal blow.
- The Neanderthals at Shanidar were burying multiple individuals in the same spot over time, suggesting meaningful behavior around death.
- While wooden spears have been found from earlier periods, evidence of fatal interpersonal violence in fossils is rare.