This Might Be the Earliest Known Spear Murder In Earth’s History

The oldest known instance of a fatal spear wound changes our understanding of Neanderthal interpersonal violence.

Archaeologists have identified a fatal spear wound in the shoulder blade of a Neanderthal individual, named Shanidar A, who lived approximately 75,000 years ago. The discovery was made in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. Analysis of the remains, unearthed in 2020, suggests the spear pierced the chest, likely causing death. This individual also had a partially healed facial injury, indicating care was provided before their demise. The body was found interred within a cluster of other Neanderthal remains, suggesting a possible intentional burial. Researchers propose this may be one of the earliest examples of interpersonal violence among hominins, though it remains difficult to definitively distinguish between a deliberate attack and an accidental hunting injury. The findings contribute to understanding Neanderthal social behaviors, including compassion and potential funerary rituals.

This discovery offers a tangible, albeit grim, insight into early hominin behavior, potentially pushing back the timeline for lethal interpersonal violence. While the exact circumstances of Shanidar A's death are debated—whether it was a hunting accident or an intentional act—the evidence of a spear strike provides a rare direct glimpse into the dangers and conflicts faced by our ancient relatives. The coexistence of this lethal trauma with evidence of care for a prior facial injury further complicates and enriches our understanding of Neanderthal social dynamics, suggesting a capacity for both aggression and compassion within groups.

The finding prompts further investigation into the origins of violence in the hominin lineage, raising questions about whether such acts were more common than previously assumed and the evolutionary pressures they might have represented. It also adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Neanderthals possessed complex social structures and emotional capacities, challenging older, more primitive portrayals of these hominins. Future research will likely focus on similar fossil discoveries for additional evidence of trauma and context that might shed more light on the prevalence and nature of conflict among early human ancestors.