Neanderthal Skeleton Reveals Evidence Of Deadly Spear Attack 75,000 Years Ago

A Neanderthal who lived approximately 75,000 years ago may have died from a wooden spear attack, according to a study published Thursday in Scientific Reports.

Researchers identified a 15-millimeter hole in the individual’s left shoulder blade at Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. Lead author Dr. Emma Pomeroy of the University of Cambridge said the injury’s shape resembles wounds produced by experimental wooden spears.

The findings highlight what researchers describe as the dual nature of Neanderthal behavior, combining evidence of possible lethal violence with signs of long-term social support.

Evidence of systematic violence among prehistoric hunter-gatherers remains rare, making the discovery significant for understanding Neanderthal relationships and social dynamics.

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