Neanderthal Shoulder Wound May Mark Earliest Spear Killing

A roughly 75,000-year-old Neanderthal skeleton known as Shanidar A, from Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, has a circular hole about 0.6 inches wide in its left scapula. Researchers writing in Scientific Reports say the wound was likely caused by a wooden spear that passed through the chest, lung and major arteries. The individual was around 45 at death. Recovered remains include a right hand, two left ribs, a right-rib fragment, seven teeth and the scapula. Healed facial injuries include a split tooth and rotated teeth. The body was buried with at least four other Neanderthals behind a tall rock pillar. The team ruled out root action, animal burrowing and excavation damage and compared the hole to known spear wounds on humans and animals. Emma Pomeroy said evidence of care and violence appears juxtaposed in the same individual. Graeme Barker said both old extremes about Neanderthals are simplistic and that the science shows death by spear thrust; beyond that is speculation, from tripping over a spear to being speared by a fellow Neanderthal or a fight with Homo sapiens. Two occupation phases are identified at the cave, about 75,000 years ago and 45,000-50,000 years ago. How the spear wound occurred remains unresolved.