Neanderthal shoulder wound may be oldest evidence of spear killing

Summary

A shoulder wound on a Neanderthal who died more than 70,000 years ago may be the oldest evidence yet of a human ancestor killed by a wooden spear, The Guardian reports. The remains were excavated from Shanidar cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. The BBC says the 75,000-year-old wound may suggest violence shaped human life earlier than previously thought, while Popular Science frames the finding as raising the question of whether the stabbing was a mercy killing or murder.

Timeline

1. Popular Science

   15 Oct 2026, 15:00 UTCSource ↗

   Popular Science describes a Neanderthal stabbed with a spear 75,000 years ago and raises the question of whether it was a mercy killing or murder.

2. BBC

   15 Oct 2026, 15:00 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal spear wound may suggest violence shaped human life earlier than previously thought.

3. The Guardian

   15 Oct 2026, 15:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that a shoulder wound on Neanderthal remains from Shanidar cave may be the oldest evidence yet of a human ancestor killed by a wooden spear.