Discovery of an ancient weapon in Russia not created by our species 🦴

The discovery of a weapon in a Russian cave challenges conventional ideas about the technical capabilities of Neanderthals. This artifact, a bone spear tip much older than the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe, reveals an unsuspected mastery of materials.


According to a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, this 70,000 to 80,000-year-old artifact confirms that these hominids crafted sophisticated projectiles long before our ancestors. Analyses reveal an optimized design for hunting, with traces of hafting and repair.

An independent innovation

The tip, carved from a bison bone, shows striations revealing the use of stone tools for shaping it. Bitumen residues indicate it was attached to a wooden shaft, a technique requiring meticulous preparation. These elements suggest knowledge transmission across generations.

Fractures observed at its tip confirm its use for striking a hard target, likely game. Unlike more common stone tools, this type of organic weapon rarely survives, explaining its scarcity in excavations.

The absence of prolonged wear suggests the object was used briefly before being abandoned or lost. The stable environment of Mezmaiskaya Cave allowed its exceptional preservation.

A Neanderthal workshop

The site has yielded other clues of craft activities: flint tools, hearths, and remains of hunted animals. These discoveries paint a picture of an organized group efficiently exploiting local resources. Mastery of fire for hardening bone and producing tar reinforces the image of advanced technical skills.

Comparisons with later Homo sapiens spear tips show similarities in shape but distinct methods. This technological independence highlights Neanderthals' adaptability, capable of innovating without contact with other species.

For researchers, this find adds to other recent evidence, such as bone tools from Siberia, illustrating a long-underestimated cultural diversity.