Earliest evidence of human ancestor killed with wooden spear found in Iraqi cave
Remains of a Neanderthal found in an Iraqi-Kurdistan cave reveal he died a violent death after more than a year of being cared for in agonising pain, a study has shown. The killing 75,000 years ago involved a sharpened wooden spear and may be the earliest example of lethal violence using such a weapon, archaeologists believe. A 15mm circular hole in the shoulder blade suggests a “heart shot”, in…
A 75,000-year-old Neanderthal skeleton found in an Iraqi-Kurdistan cave reveals the individual died after being violently attacked with a wooden spear. The spear penetrated the shoulder blade, causing a heart shot that resulted in a rapid death. Evidence of a prior facial injury suggests the Neanderthal required care for a year prior to their demise.
The remains, including a well-preserved scapula bone and partially damaged teeth, were found under 8 meters of sediment, providing crucial insights into Neanderthal behavior and social dynamics.
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