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ScienceQuiet 7d · day 14

75,000-year-old Neanderthal shows earliest known fatal spear wound

Researchers identify a circular hole in a shoulder blade as evidence of deadly violence with a wooden weapon, plus signs of caregiving.

newest coverage 7d agosummary written 6d ago4 pieces1 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswiresGoogle NewsHacker News

What to know

  • A circular 15-millimeter hole in a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal's shoulder blade is interpreted as the oldest known fatal wound from a wooden spear, possibly a deliberate strike at the heart.
  • The same individual survived an earlier facial injury with partial healing and tooth damage, suggesting the social group provided care and support.
  • The remains show evidence of intentional burial practice, with four other Neanderthals placed directly above this individual over time, indicating complex social behavior.
  • While researchers highlight the findings as evidence of Neanderthal complexity and violence, independent experts caution that more research is needed to fully support the study's conclusions.

“It's extraordinary to have a perfectly preserved scapula from 75,000 years ago. These bones are so thin that you often don't get complete scapulae from modern burials.”

Dr. Emma Pomeroy, Lead archaeologist, University of Cambridge · Science Daily ↗

Emma Pomeroy Lead archaeologist, University of CambridgeSofia Samper Carro Archaeologist, Australian National UniversityShanidar A 75,000-year-old Neanderthal remains

75,000-year-old Neanderthal shows earliest known fatal spear wound
Science Daily

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 2 pieces in 4h at Oct 31, 3 AM; 4 pieces over 14 days (2 articles · 2 posts) Oct 25, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 25, 11 PM — quietOct 26, 3 AM — quietOct 26, 7 AM — quietOct 26, 11 AM — quietOct 26, 3 PM — quietOct 26, 7 PM — quietOct 26, 11 PM — quietOct 27, 3 AM — quietOct 27, 7 AM — quietOct 27, 11 AM — quietOct 27, 3 PM — quietOct 27, 7 PM — quietOct 27, 11 PM — quietOct 28, 3 AM — quietOct 28, 7 AM — quietOct 28, 11 AM — quietOct 28, 3 PM — quietOct 28, 7 PM — quietOct 28, 11 PM — quietOct 29, 3 AM — quietOct 29, 7 AM — quietOct 29, 11 AM — quietOct 29, 3 PM — quietOct 29, 7 PM — quietOct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 3 AM — quietOct 30, 7 AM — quietOct 30, 11 AM — quietOct 30, 3 PM — quietOct 30, 7 PM — quietOct 30, 11 PM — quietOct 31, 3 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 1, Newswires 1Oct 31, 7 AM — quietOct 31, 11 AM — quietOct 31, 3 PM — quietOct 31, 7 PM — quietOct 31, 11 PM — quietNov 1, 2 AM — quietNov 1, 6 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Hacker News 1Nov 1, 2 PM — quietNov 1, 6 PM — quietNov 1, 10 PM — quietNov 2, 2 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — quietNov 2, 10 AM — quietNov 2, 2 PM — quietNov 2, 6 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 2 AM — quietNov 3, 6 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 2 PM — quietNov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 2 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 2 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 2 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 2 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 2 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 2 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 10 AM — quiet 12
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  1. 2

    Independent expert calls findings interesting but premature

    Sofia Samper Carro, an archaeologist at Australian National University not involved in the research, acknowledges the conclusions as intriguing but states more evidence is needed to support the study's claims.

    “We see evidence of two contrasting facets of human nature — care and violence — juxtaposed in the same individual.”
    — Dr. Emma Pomeroy, Lead archaeologist, University of Cambridge · source
  2. 1 day quiet
  3. 1

    Cambridge-led team publishes analysis of fatal spear wound in Scientific Reports

    Researchers announce findings that the circular hole in Shanidar A's shoulder blade represents one of the oldest known cases of fatal interpersonal violence with a wooden spear, with evidence suggesting deliberate targeting of the heart. The analysis also highlights signs of burial practice and familial caregiving.

    • ScienceScholar@mastodon.social

      75,000-Year-Old Neanderthal Skeleton Reveals a Mysterious Spear Wound Aimed at the Heart https:// scitechdaily.com/75000-year-ol d-neanderthal-skeleton-reveals-a-mysterious-spear-wound-aimed-at-the-heart/ # science

      ScienceScholar@mastodon.socialMastodon13d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  4. background

    Shanidar Cave excavations begin in Iraqi Kurdistan — The cave site begins revealing Neanderthal remains that would span decades of discovery.