A bone spear tip dating back 70,000–80,000 years has been discovered in Russia—the oldest of its kind in Europe—crafted by Neanderthals: direct evidence of the independent development of complex technologies before the arrival of Homo sapiens.
An international team of scientists has discovered a bone spear tip dating back to a period between 80,000 and 70,000 years ago in the Mezmaiskaya Cave, in the North Caucasus (Russia).
The news was reported by La Brujola Verde, and the remarkable aspect of the discovery is that it was made by Neanderthals, meaning that spears were used in Europe before the arrival of Homo sapiens.
The tip is 9 centimeters (3.54 inches) long and is made from the bone of a large animal, probably a bison. The results of analyses using advanced techniques such as microscopy, CT scanning, and spectroscopy, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, reveal that it was intentionally shaped with stone tools and affixed to a wooden shaft using a natural resin (pitch).
High resolution microscopic photograph of the tip of the specimen (A) and two high resolution microscopic photographs (B and C) detailing flattened areas on the tip (indicated with white rectangles, and numbered 1 and 2). Credit: L.V. Golovanova et al.
It is known today that Homo sapiens only reached the continent about 45,000 years ago, so this discovery is very important, as it predates by 30,000 years a practice attributed to Homo sapiens in Europe.
It is similar to the bone spear tips later made by Homo sapiens, but in a more rudimentary form. The Neanderthals were taking their first steps in this technology.
Declared the archaeologists
In fact, the discovery shows how Neanderthals also used organic materials such as bone and wood to enhance their weapons and that they possessed advanced cognitive abilities such as planning and technological innovation.