Neanderthal shoulder blade indicates fatal wooden spear injury 75,000 years ago

Archaeologists analyzing a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal fossil from a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan have identified evidence of prehistoric interpersonal violence. ScienceDaily Archaeology, Science Daily, and UA.NEWS reported that the individual may have been killed by a wooden spear deliberately aimed at the chest. [1][2][3]

According to ScienceDaily Archaeology, a small, circular hole discovered in the Neanderthal's shoulder blade indicates that a weapon pierced the chest. Researchers conclude that the trajectory of the spear likely targeted the heart, causing a rapidly fatal injury. The findings provide rare physical evidence of lethal conflict among early hominins. [1]

The same individual also displayed signs of surviving an earlier severe facial injury before the fatal incident occurred. ScienceDaily Archaeology reported that the healing of the previous trauma suggests other members of the Neanderthal group provided care to sustain the injured individual. [1]

Neanderthals are an extinct species of archaic human first recognized after fossils were unearthed in Germany's Neander Valley in 1856. They lived alongside other hominin species in Eurasia before disappearing from the fossil record. [5]