Ancient Evidence of Neanderthal Violence Discovered
The recent discovery of Neanderthal remains, believed to have been killed by a wooden spear approximately 75,000 years ago, marks what may be the earliest documented case of murder among human ancestors. This significant finding also provides fresh insights into the lifestyle, survival strategies, and burial practices of this extinct hominid species.
Archaeologists from the University of Cambridge unearthed the remains in the Shanidar cave, located in the northwestern region of Mosul, Iraq. The remains include a scapula, a right hand, two left ribs, a fragment of a right rib, and seven teeth belonging to a Neanderthal estimated to be around 45 years old. Prior to his violent death, this individual had recovered from a severe facial injury.
Understanding Shanidar A’s Final Years
Investigations into the final years of this individual, now referred to as Shanidar A, reveal much about his life. Analysis of a fracture on one of his teeth and a puncture in the scapula, believed to be responsible for his demise, has provided crucial insights. The study, detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, identified a longitudinal fracture in a lateral incisor that damaged part of the tooth. Further examination revealed the presence of tartar and signs of wear from chewing, suggesting that he had adapted to the injury.
The evidence indicates that Shanidar A endured a serious facial trauma, which could have hindered his ability to eat and communicate, causing him significant pain during recovery. The researchers propose that he likely survived with the support of his community, estimating that he lived with this injury for at least a year before his violent death.
The reconstruction of the events surrounding Shanidar A’s death represents one of the most significant aspects of this research. The findings suggest that Neanderthals possessed the skills necessary to work with wood and craft weapons, potentially representing the earliest known instance of lethal interpersonal violence involving a spear.
Details of the Violent Encounter
The researchers identified a puncture in the left scapula measuring approximately 15 millimetres in diameter, characterised by a nearly circular outline and several radial fractures. Analyses showed that the injury lacked signs of bone regeneration, indicating it occurred close to the time of death. Additionally, remnants of the material that caused the injury were discovered, which helped reconstruct the sequence of events.
According to the researchers’ interpretation, the spear penetrated the left thoracic cavity from the front, traversing the body—likely injuring the lung and major arteries—before piercing the left scapula, resulting in a rapid death. However, the evidence does not entirely rule out the possibility of an accidental hunting injury. Emma Pomeroy, a researcher from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and lead author of the study, noted that animals like mammoths could be hunted at close range with spears, making fatal injuries plausible.
Nonetheless, Pomeroy acknowledged that “the position of the wound and the force needed to penetrate the Neanderthal’s body exhibit characteristics of a directed lethal shot aimed at the heart.”
Insights into Neanderthal Burial Practices
Experts also highlight that Shanidar A is part of a funerary assemblage first identified in the cave in 1960. The remains were found in an area measuring approximately 1.5 metres long, one metre wide, and one metre deep, behind a large rock protruding from the cave floor. Previous research had already identified at least four other individuals at the same site.
The new findings suggest that the bodies were interred at different times and with some separation. The authors interpret this as evidence of deliberate and structured burial practices. Pomeroy stated, “These Neanderthals returned to the same location to bury their dead. Some were placed before the previous body had fully decomposed, indicating burials occurred within years or decades of each other.”
In conclusion, the identification of both fatal and non-fatal traumatic injuries, alongside growing evidence of potential symbolic burial practices and indirect indications of wooden weapon use 75,000 years ago, offers fresh perspectives on the life and death of Neanderthals in the Shanidar cave.