Earliest evidence of human ancestor killed with wooden spear found in Iraqi cave

A Neanderthal named Shanidar A, who lived 75,000 years ago, died a violent death after a year of being cared for, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The cause of death was a sharpened wooden spear piercing his shoulder blade, with a 15mm circular hole evidence of a "heart shot" that would have caused rapid death.

This is the earliest known example of lethal violence using a wooden spear, archaeologists believe. The study, led by Professor Graeme Barker from Cambridge University, also revealed that Shanidar A had suffered a brutal facial injury a year before his death, indicating he required care from others. Tiny bone fragments helped reconstruct the trajectory of the spear, showing it was a spear tip or flint rather than a different type of weapon.

The preserved scapula, or shoulder blade, along with other remains, suggests Neanderthals developed woodworking and weapon-making skills long before Shanidar A's death.